OCOTILLO, Calif. – U.S. Border Patrol agents from El Centro Sector rescued seven illegal aliens in distress in the Jacumba Wilderness region within 18 hours.
treated the four subjects, who were out of water
The first incident occurred on Monday at approximately 2:55 p.m., when El Centro Sector Communications Dispatch was notified by the California Highway Patrol of a distress call made by an individual who illegally crossed the international boundary in the mountains 23 miles west of Calexico. The information was relayed to El Centro Station agents performing their assigned duties in the area and they responded to the location to begin searching for the man.
At approximately 3:00 p.m., air support from CBP’S Air and Marine Operations located the lost 28-year-old Mexican man under a tree in the median of the interstate. A crewmember from the air unit was able to provide him with water until Border Patrol agents arrived on scene. Agents assessed the man and determined he was suffering from heat stress. Agents coordinated with Emergency Medical Services and transported the man to the Ocotillo Chevron gas station to meet the ambulance. The man was then transported to the local hospital for treatment and was released a few hours later. Agents took the illegal alien to the rally point for processing and expelled the man back to Mexico.
subjects lost in the mountains 23 miles
west of Calexico
The second incident occurred on Tuesday morning at 1:50 a.m., when El Centro Station agents were notified of a distress call made by an individual who illegally crossed the international boundary in the mountains 23 miles west of Calexico. The individual stated he was with another man and that they were lost and out of water. El Centro Sector BORSTAR (Border Search Trauma and Rescue) agents and a Search and Rescue K9 partner responded to the area to assist in the search.
At approximately 6:05 a.m., BORSTAR Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) agents located the two lost individuals, provided water, and medically evaluated them. The two individuals, both illegal alien men from Mexico, were taken into custody after their medical evaluation. Both subjects were expelled to their country of origin.
The third incident occurred simultaneously as BORSTAR agents were conducting the second rescue. At approximately 5:15 a.m. Tuesday morning, the El Centro Sector Border Intelligence Center received information from a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) regarding four lost subjects in the mountain area near Ocotillo. The distress call stated that the subjects were lost and dehydrated. Agents already working on the second rescue were advised of the Global Positioning System coordinates of the group and coordinated rescue efforts. San Diego Sector BORSTAR responded to the area to assist in the rescue.
At approximately 8:40 a.m., BORSTAR agents located the four lost subjects. BORSTAR EMT agents medically evaluated and treated the four subjects, who were out of water. All four were illegal aliens from Mexico and were expelled to their country of origin after medical evaluation.
The fourth incident occurred at approximately 2:55 p.m., when the El Centro Station received a call from an individual claiming that his brother was lost in the mountains south of Ocotillo. The individual provided a picture that his brother sent him of his approximate location. The information was immediately relayed to BORSTAR and agents patrolling near that area. Agents advised the individual to call his brother and tell him to call 9-1-1 so they could provide agents with better GPS coordinates.
At approximately 5:03 p.m., BORSTAR agents located the lost subject along with eight other individuals in the immediate area. The man had been without food and water for several days. He claimed that his legs were cramping and was unable to walk any further in the vigorous terrain. The temperature was 110 degrees; BORSTAR agents provided water and assisted the man in descending the rocky mountainous terrain. Once they reached the bottom of the mountain, BORSTAR and advance Emergency Medical Technicians evaluated the man for dehydration. He claimed that he was feeling better and declined further medical assistance.
Due to the coordination and cooperation with BORSTAR and the EL Centro Station, the lost man was located and rescued before furthering endangering his life. In total, nine individuals were apprehended and transported to the Border Patrol immigration rally point for processing. The individuals, all Mexican nationals, were expelled back to their country of origin.
“Saving lives takes teamwork. Our local and federal partners are crucial assets during Border Patrol rescues, and continue to play a major role in these life-saving efforts,” stated Chief Patrol Agent Gregory K. Bovino. “Temperatures are expected to reach 116 degrees in Imperial County this week, making crossing illegally more dangerous than ever.”