YUMA, Ariz. – Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Special Operations Detachment (SOD) arrested three suspected human smugglers from Mexico and recovered a loaded pistol on Tuesday, as agents nearby were dealing with a large group of surrendering Central Americans.
magazines that was discarded nearby
where a group of Central Americans
surrendered
SOD agents targeting a specific area near San Luis when, with the help of the Yuma Sector Communications Center camera operators, located and apprehended three subjects suspected of smuggling six other individuals into the United States. One of the suspected smugglers had two loaded 9 mm magazines in his pocket. Agents later discovered a loaded 9mm pistol discarded nearby. All nine subjects were determined to be illegal aliens from Mexico.
At that same time, a group of 25 Guatemalans made up of family members and juveniles surrendered to agents several miles east of the port of entry. The arrests come at the tail end of more than 450 apprehensions for Yuma Sector, most of whom were Central American families and juveniles.
“Yuma Sector agents continue to be inundated with large numbers of families and juveniles who illegally cross the border and significantly tax our resources,” said Yuma Sector Chief Patrol Agent Anthony J. Porvaznik. “This armed smuggling attempt took place while many of our agents were distracted from their border security duties and instead dealing with groups of surrendering families.”
Federal law allows agents to charge individuals by complaint, a method that allows the filing of criminal activity charges without inferring guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless and until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.