Illegal Aliens Caught with Hundreds of Pounds of Mexican Gold

EL PASO, TX – U.S. Border Patrol agents made two significant arrests this past weekend.  

On November 20 at approximately 6 a.m., Lordsburg Border Patrol agents were alerted by sensor technology of a possible illegal entry.   Agents on horse patrol as well as canine teams responded to the area and located footprints of three individuals traveling north.

Agents continued to follow the footprints over treacherous mountainous terrain for nearly 10 miles.  Agent’s persistence led them to discover three large burlap sacks typically used to conceal narcotics partially hidden from view within the rocky mountain side.  Agents recovered and transported the burlap sacks back to the Lordsburg station for processing.  The bundles tested positive for marijuana and had a total combined weight of 139 pounds with an estimated street value of $111,200.  The marijuana will be transferred over to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

The agents continued to search the area for signs of the three individuals, but were unable to locate them. It is believed these individuals returned to Mexico.

In a separate incident that same day, Agents assigned to the Clint Border Patrol Station located muddy footprints coming out of an irrigation canal just north of the international boundary.  The agents followed two sets of footprints nearly one mile north to another irrigation canal.  The agents searched the tall brush area in the canal and located two bundles partially concealed.  A quick search of the area revealed two individuals attempting to conceal themselves inside a large irrigation pipe about five feet from the narcotics. 

The individuals, along with the narcotics, were transported to the Clint Border Patrol Station for processing. The contents of the bundles tested positive for marijuana with a total combined weight of 89 pounds with an estimated street value of $71,200.

The 33-year old adult male from Mexico was turned over to the DEA for criminal prosecution. A juvenile was turned over to Mexican Immigration for a voluntary return.

It is important to note that an arrest or criminal complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered evidence of guilt. Subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol while remaining anonymous by calling 1-800-635-2509.