Friday, December 31, 2010

Border Patrol Canine Foils Smuggling Attempt



Tucson, A.Z. – A canine team assigned to the Tucson Station working at the Highway 86 Checkpoint discovered a hidden compartment on Tuesday. Agents found more than 280 pounds of marijuana inside the compartment with an estimated value of $230,000.
The canine team was working the primary inspection area and alerted to an odor it was trained to detect inside a truck. The truck was sent to secondary and agents uncovered an aftermarket compartment concealed in the bed of the vehicle. Agents seized more than 280 pounds of marijuana and took the truck and driver to the Tucson Station for processing.
“The Border Patrol has made significant gains in securing our border and continues to make it difficult for smugglers to operate,” said Assistant Chief Patrol Agent of the Tucson Sector Mark Rios. “Border Patrol agents continue to remain vigilant against any attempts being made by smugglers.”
As the Tucson Sector continues to gain effective control of our borders, smugglers are turning to more desperate means of transporting their narcotics into the United States. Checkpoint operations, paired with effective Border Patrol canine teams and technology continue to thwart the flow of illicit contraband from entering our communities.
The Border Patrol continues to rely on the community to ensure that illicit drugs or activity do not reach further into our communities. Should you see suspicious activity please report it to our toll free number at 1-877-872-7435. All calls will be answered and will remain anonymous.
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.
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CBP Officers Intercept Man Suspected of Raping a Minor




Newark, N.J.— U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Newark Liberty International Airport apprehended a U.S. citizen from Paterson, NJ, suspected of raping a minor, as he returned on a Continental Airlines flight from Lima, Peru, Wednesday, Dec. 29.
Leonardo Quintero, 20, was the subject of an active warrant posted Dec. 18 by the Clifton Police Department for aggravated sexual assault and the kidnapping of a minor. He is suspected of forcing a 12-year-old New Jersey girl to consume alcohol and raping her. He is also suspected of videotaping the assault and repeating his attack when he drove her home.
Quintero attempted to evade arrest by fleeing to Lima, Peru but returned voluntarily at the behest of his family.
“CBP officers continue to maintain the highest standards of interagency cooperation and enforcement,” said New York Director of Field Operations, Robert E. Pérez. “This is another example of the excellent working relationships that exist between CBP and multiple other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.”
Upon completion of all CBP processes, Quintero was released into the custody of the Clifton Police Department.
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.
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Citizen of Dominican Republic sentenced to 25 months for illegally reentering the US after deportatio


HARTFORD, Conn. - A man from the Dominican Republic was sentenced Wednesday to 25 months in prison for illegally reentering the United States after deportation. This sentenced was announced by David B. Fein, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut. The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Marino Avalo, 47, also known as "Jose Ventura" and "Carlos Irizarry," a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Avalo was deported to the Dominican Republic in January 1993 and again in March 1995, both times after having been convicted of an aggravated felony involving the distribution of cocaine. Avalo again illegally reentered the United States and was found in Connecticut on June 16, 2010, after he was arrested for using someone else's name to apply for a driver's license.
Avalo has been in custody since June 16, 2010.
On Oct. 5, 2010, Avalo pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful presence in the United States following deportation.
Avalo again faces deportation after he completes the sentence imposed today.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert M. Spector and Jonathan S. Freimann.
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security Careers with the Federal Protective Service Update

Open Positions

For the most current information on FPS opportunities, please visit USAJOBS.
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ICE arrests 3, seizes 28,000 rounds of ammunition in Tucson


TUCSON, Ariz. - Three men are facing federal weapons smuggling charges after they were arrested with more than 28,000 rounds of ammunition by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tuesday in Tucson.
Nogales-based HSI special agents investigating a weapons smuggling operation identified a Tucson residence in the 1500 block of West Aztec Court believed to be tied to the scheme. Agents set up surveillance on the house and observed a white minivan leave the residence and proceed southbound toward Nogales, Ariz. HSI agents then coordinated with the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) to conduct a traffic stop based on probable cause developed by the DPS officer.
The van's occupants consented to allow a search of the vehicle, which revealed 9,240 rounds of ammunition of various calibers. As a result, Alejandro Ruiz-Escalante, 23, and Christian Gallegos-Arizmendi, 19, both citizens of Mexico, were arrested on federal weapons smuggling charges.
"Weapons smuggling along the Southwest border clearly contributes to ongoing public safety challenges in Mexico," said Matt Allen, special agent in charge of ICE HSI in Arizona. "One of my top priorities is working with law enforcement partners like DPS to stem the flow of weapons and ammunition south of the border."
Based on information developed from the traffic stop, agents applied for and received a search warrant for the Tucson residence. The ICE Arizona Special Response Team served a search warrant on the property late Tuesday evening. Inside, agents discovered and seized an additional 19,750 rounds of ammunition, one .223 semi-automatic rifle and two .22 caliber rifles.
HSI agents arrested Jesus Lopez, 35, a U.S. citizen with an extensive criminal history and outstanding warrants for domestic violence and drug possession, at the residence. Lopez is also facing federal weapons charges. All three suspects had their initial appearance in federal court in Tucson Wednesday.
A criminal complaint is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The 9,240 rounds of ammunition recovered from the van included:
  • 4,000 rounds of .223 cal
  • 2,240 rounds of 7.62 cal
  • 1,000 rounds of 9 mm
  • 1,000 rounds of .38 super
  • 500 rounds of .45 cal
  • 500 rounds of .40 cal
The 19,750 rounds of ammunition recovered from the residence included:
  • 4,000 rounds of .223 cal
  • 6,000 rounds of 7.62 cal
  • 3,000 rounds of .38 super
  • 2,750 rounds of .45 cal
  • 3,500 rounds of 9 mm
  • 500 rounds of .40 cal
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ALERT ALERT ALERT Milltown Crossing (Calais, ME)Incident Description: Facility disruption

Alert - Northern Border Highway - Milltown Crossing (Calais, ME) Suspended Operations
Current Status:  ALERT ALERT ALERT
HSAS Level:  Yellow
Affected Port(s) of Entry:  Milltown Crossing (Calais, ME)
Incident Description:  Facility disruption
Time of Incident:  Wednesday December 15, 2010, 14:40pm (EST) - Ongoing
Location of Incident:  Milltown Crossing, Calais, ME
Wait Times:  To Be Determined
Duration of Delay:  At least until January 3, 2011
Impact of Incident:  Suspended operations for U.S. bound traffic only due to facility water damage – U.S. side Only
Suggested Alternate Ports/Routes:  International Avenue
Ferry Point
Hours of Operation at Alternate Ports:  Alternatives for Passenger Processing:

Mapquest Map and Sat picture
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    ICE arrests 3, seizes 28,000 rounds of ammunition in Tucson


    TUCSON, Ariz. - Three men are facing federal weapons smuggling charges after they were arrested with more than 28,000 rounds of ammunition by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tuesday in Tucson.
    Nogales-based HSI special agents investigating a weapons smuggling operation identified a Tucson residence in the 1500 block of West Aztec Court believed to be tied to the scheme. Agents set up surveillance on the house and observed a white minivan leave the residence and proceed southbound toward Nogales, Ariz. HSI agents then coordinated with the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) to conduct a traffic stop based on probable cause developed by the DPS officer.
    The van's occupants consented to allow a search of the vehicle, which revealed 9,240 rounds of ammunition of various calibers. As a result, Alejandro Ruiz-Escalante, 23, and Christian Gallegos-Arizmendi, 19, both citizens of Mexico, were arrested on federal weapons smuggling charges.
    "Weapons smuggling along the Southwest border clearly contributes to ongoing public safety challenges in Mexico," said Matt Allen, special agent in charge of ICE HSI in Arizona. "One of my top priorities is working with law enforcement partners like DPS to stem the flow of weapons and ammunition south of the border."
    Based on information developed from the traffic stop, agents applied for and received a search warrant for the Tucson residence. The ICE Arizona Special Response Team served a search warrant on the property late Tuesday evening. Inside, agents discovered and seized an additional 19,750 rounds of ammunition, one .223 semi-automatic rifle and two .22 caliber rifles.
    HSI agents arrested Jesus Lopez, 35, a U.S. citizen with an extensive criminal history and outstanding warrants for domestic violence and drug possession, at the residence. Lopez is also facing federal weapons charges. All three suspects had their initial appearance in federal court in Tucson Wednesday.
    A criminal complaint is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
    The 9,240 rounds of ammunition recovered from the van included:
    • 4,000 rounds of .223 cal
    • 2,240 rounds of 7.62 cal
    • 1,000 rounds of 9 mm
    • 1,000 rounds of .38 super
    • 500 rounds of .45 cal
    • 500 rounds of .40 cal
    The 19,750 rounds of ammunition recovered from the residence included:
    • 4,000 rounds of .223 cal
    • 6,000 rounds of 7.62 cal
    • 3,000 rounds of .38 super
    • 2,750 rounds of .45 cal
    • 3,500 rounds of 9 mm
    • 500 rounds of .40 cal
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