YUMA, Ariz. – Border Patrol agents assigned to the Yuma Sector Border Patrol Special Operations Detachment arrested three United States citizens and nine Mexican nationals in two separate events Monday and Tuesday.
The first event occurred Monday at approximately 6:30 p.m. west of the Buttercup Sand Dunes in Imperial County, California. Five subjects illegally crossed the International Boundary and loaded into a vehicle driven by a 33-year-old male USC. SOD agents stopped the vehicle and arrested all six individuals. The driver was charged with human smuggling. The five Mexican nationals, ranging in age from 16 to 27, were charged with illegal entry into the United States.
At approximately 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, four subjects illegally crossed the International Boundary again just west of the Buttercup Sand Dunes in Imperial County, California. The subjects entered a vehicle with a USC driver and passenger. SOD agents arrested the driver and passenger for human smuggling, and the four Mexican nationals for illegal entry into the United States.
All subjects and vehicles were processed in accordance with Yuma Sector guidelines.
Yuma Sector’s Special Operations Detachment is comprised of certified special operations agents from the Special Operations Group; the Border Patrol Search Trauma & Rescue Unit; and the Border Patrol Tactical Unit. Agents assigned to this unit undergo a difficult training regimen before becoming a certified SOD agent.