U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Tucson Sector have been actively preventing illegal entry attempts into the country, as per a series of tweets by John R. Modlin, Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol's Tucson Sector. A total of 12 migrants and one U.S. citizen were apprehended.
Modlin stated, "Three Points Station agents responded to a traffic stop conducted by Tohono O'odham Police Department near Sells, AZ. This led to the apprehension of a U.S. citizen driver caught smuggling three migrants, with two concealed in the trunk. Collaboration at best for #bordersecurity". He further added, "Casa Grande Station agents arrested 6 migrants southwest of Sells, AZ. Records checks revealed that one migrant had an active warrant out of #California for lewd & lascivious acts with a child under 16. @PinalCSO responded and took custody of the 39-year-old man for extradition". Lastly, Modlin shared an incident from January 14 where a Brian A. Terry Station agent conducted a vehicle stop in Sierra Vista, AZ: "During an immigration inspection, the agent determined a U.S. citizen driver was attempting to smuggle six people who unlawfully entered the U.S. All occupants of the #SUV were arrested."
This news follows another significant event in October when a Nogales Station Border Patrol agent and his K9 partner patrolling the Tucson sector near Amado seized 130-pounds of narcotics, according to a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) news release. The drugs were discovered on Oct. 5 during an inspection of four abandoned duffel bags near the Interstate 19 immigration checkpoint.
Commenting on this drug seizure operation, Modlin said, "This narcotics seizure is significant," he said. "It not only demonstrates the hard work of this dedicated canine team but also illustrates the need for our agents to be in the field, doing what they do best. In this case, that’s keeping dangerous drugs from reaching our nation’s communities."
According to a CBP report, agents have encountered 617,865 individuals during this fiscal year, which began on Oct. 1, 2023. A total of 3,888 pounds of marijuana has been seized, along with 166 pounds of cocaine, nine pounds of heroin, 1,806 pounds of methamphetamine and 456 pounds of fentanyl.
