Border Patrol agents in Deming, N.M., successfully disrupted a human smuggling operation conducted by a Surenos gang member, as announced by Chief Jason Owens on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Owens stated, "1/29: USBP agents in Deming, NM and local partners stopped 9 undocumented subjects from being smuggled. The USC driver, a Surenos gang member w/a prior murder conviction, will be charged w/8 USC 1324. Successful prosecution by U.S. Attorneys should yield a lengthy jail sentence."
In addition to this incident, the Border Patrol reported maintaining border security despite an influx of migrants into New Mexico. According to a news release from Customs and Border Protection, agents discovered 13 migrants within a UHAUL box truck at a Las Cruces checkpoint in one instance. The illegal aliens were returned to Mexico and the motorist was charged with conspiracy to transport.
The same news release also detailed another incident where agents from the Deming Station discovered nine smuggled migrants attempting to traverse through the desert. Among this group was an aggravated felon with a previous order of removal. This individual was transferred to the Luna County Detention Center and charged with illegal re-entry.
The following day, two migrants were rescued by agents from the Deming Station after being abandoned by their smugglers during their journey into America. A 911 call alerted the agents about two dehydrated females lost near the Cedar Mountains who required rescue. Following their rescue, these migrants were apprehended and taken to a hospital for medical treatment.
El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez commented on these events saying, "These events within the last seven days highlight how complex our border environment has become and the determination by our Border Patrol Agents to adjust operationally as needed to address any situation on the border." She added that despite managing migrant influxes of humanitarian nature in specific areas, Border Patrol agents remain committed to maintaining immigration checkpoints operational and securing other border areas of the El Paso Sector. She concluded by expressing her pride in the invaluable work El Paso Sector Border Patrol agents do each day in the West Texas and New Mexico region.
