OCOTILLO, Calif. – U.S. Border Patrol agents from El Centro Sector rescued eight undocumented individuals in the Jacumba Wilderness region Tuesday night.
The first incident occurred at about 5:11 p.m. when El Centro Sector Dispatch notified agents working in the field of an individual who illegally crossed the United States/Mexico International Boundary, who stated that he was without water and was now lost in the mountains.
El Centro Station’s Mountain Disrupt Unit (MDU) and the Air and Marine Operations (AMO), Yuma Air Branch responded to the area to assist in the search. At about 5:27 p.m., the air crew spotted the individual one-half mile south of Interstate 8 near the In-Ko-Pah Park Road exit.
At about 5:45 p.m., agents made contact with the individual, an adult male Mexican national and conducted a welfare check. Agents determined that no additional medical assistance was needed, and the undocumented individual was taken into custody and transported to the El Centro Sector Processing Center.
The second incident occurred at about 9:40 p.m. when El Centro Sector Dispatch notified agents working in the field of an additional two individuals who illegally crossed the United States/Mexico International Boundary and became lost in the mountains.
Agents and an air crew responded to the area to assist in the search. At approximately 10:30 p.m., agents located the two adult males, both Mexican nationals, about 10 miles north of the United States/Mexico International Boundary.
Agents conducted welfare checks and determined that no medical attention was required. The undocumented individuals were taken into custody and transported to the El Centro Sector Processing Center.
The third incident occurred at about 9:50 p.m. when the Calexico Police Department Dispatch notified El Centro Sector Dispatch of five individuals who illegally crossed the United States/Mexico International Boundary and became lost in the mountains.
Agents in the field were notified of the call. Agents and the air crew remained in the area to assist and began the search using the last GPS coordinates provided. At approximately 11:15 p.m., agents located the individuals several hundred feet north of the United States/Mexico International Boundary.
Agents conducted welfare checks with the five adult males, all Mexican nationals and determined that no additional medical attention was needed. The individuals were taken into custody and transported to the El Centro Sector Processing Center.
All eight rescued undocumented individuals will be processed accordingly.
Since October, El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents have successfully rescued 164 individuals lost or in distress.
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