YUMA – Border Patrol agents assigned to the Yuma Sector rescued a 15-year-old Guatemalan boy, seized more than $81,000, a 9mm handgun, and close to 15 pounds of marijuana during separate incidents Monday.
Agents working the Salinity Canal area near Yuma rescued the 15-year-old when they witnessed him struggling to swim through the canal. Their ability to act swiftly prevented the youth from drowning after his illegal entry into the United States. Agents provided care on scene and the youth didn’t require hospitalization.
Integrated Targeting Team agents in Blythe, California, stopped a vehicle on westbound I-10, they discovered and seized more than $79,000 hidden in the vehicle’s trunk.
Elsewhere, agents assigned to the immigration checkpoint on Highway 95 found a 9mm pistol, ammunition, a variety of pills, and more than $2,000 in cash when a K-9 alerted to an odor it was trained to detect. Record checks on the two passengers revealed the 36-year-old driver had an extraditable warrant out of La Paz County, Arizona, for failure to appear.
All vehicles, drugs, people and money were processed in accordance with Yuma Sector guidelines.
Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents effectively combat smuggling organizations attempting to transport people and contraband through southwestern Arizona and California. Citizens can help the Border Patrol and U.S. Customs and Border Protection by calling 1-866-999-8727 toll-free to report suspicious activity. Callers may remain anonymous.
