El Paso, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the El Paso port of entry detained a juvenile girl yesterday who was reported as missing to authorities by her mother on Sunday, Sept. 26 in Kansas City, Kansas.
"Our officers did an outstanding job in detaining and confirming the identity of this missing juvenile. CBP officers at the El Paso port of entry identify approximately two dozen wanted people every week because of our inspection process," said Bill Molaski, CBP El Paso port director. "I am proud of our officers playing a major role in reuniting this missing teen with her mother."
The missing juvenile detention was made at approximately 7:16 p.m. when a 17-year-old female entered the Paso Del Norte Bridge crossing from Mexico. The juvenile told CBP officers that she was in Juarez visiting her boyfriend. CBP officers performed a query and found that there was a National Crime Information Center (NCIC) lookout for the resident of Kansas City, Kansas. CBP officers took custody of the juvenile and confirmed the lookout. The juvenile was turned over to El Paso Police officers.
In addition to the missing juvenile detention, CBP officers at the El Paso port were busy performing their anti-terrorism mission and associated enforcement responsibilities during the day. An enforcement highlight of the day was a marijuana smuggling attempt that was stopped. CBP officers seized 61.49 pounds of marijuana.
CBP officers also recorded 14 immigration violations at area ports this week including eleven intended immigrants and three imposters. Intended immigrants will use a legally issued border-crossing card (laser visa) to live or work in the U.S., which is not authorized. They also lose their documents and are generally returned to Mexico. Imposters generally will use a legitimate entry document assigned to another person and present it as their own. Violators generally lose their documents, can be prosecuted and go to jail and/or are returned to Mexico.
CBP officers working at ports of entry in El Paso, West Texas and New Mexico made two seizures of agricultural items. Violators paid $250 in penalties in association with the violations. Prohibited food products seized included fresh apples.