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Operation Blazing Sands Arrests Another Alien Smuggler

Release Date
Mon, 09/10/2018

EL CENTRO, Calif. – Border Patrol Agents arrested a man suspected of alien smuggling in El Centro Sector Saturday night.

The apprehension was part of the ongoing Operation Blazing Sands, a joint operation between El Centro and Yuma Border Patrol sectors. 

The incident occurred at approximately 10:57 p.m., when agents observed a group of four individuals illegally enter the United States before loading into a gold Chevrolet van on Interstate 8, west of Yuma. 

Agents observed the van drive west on Interstate 8, and attempted to conduct a vehicle stop.  The van failed to yield to the agent’s lights and sirens and continued driving west on I-8.  Agents deployed a Vehicle Immobilization Device and successfully disabled the tires of the van.

Shortly after the van came to a safe stop and agents approached the vehicle.  The driver was identified as a 32-year-old United States citizen, while the four passengers are all citizens of Mexico.

The man will be held pending criminal prosecution.

One man, two women, and one female juvenile, will serve as material witnesses in the case.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021