Cuban citizen found in Blaine after escaping community custody in Tacoma

BLAINE, Wash. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations at the Peace Arch Port of Entry took a 54-year-old Cuban citizen into custody when the Canada Border Services Agency  returned him to Blaine. A routine review of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database revealed that a warrant existed out of Thurston County.

The warrant, for escaping community custody, was issued in early April. The resident of Tacoma had been on the lam ever since.

“We enjoy an outstanding relationship with our Canadian counterparts”, said area Port Director Kenneth Williams.  “That collaboration keeps both of our communities safe.”

After confirmation of the warrant, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s office took the man into custody without incident. He was later released to the Department of Corrections.

NCIC is a centralized automated database designed to share information among law enforcement agencies including outstanding warrants for a wide range of offenses. Based on information from NCIC, CBP officers have made previous arrests of individuals wanted for homicide, escape, money laundering, robbery, narcotics distribution, sexual child abuse, fraud, larceny, and military desertion.