BORREGO SPRINGS, Calif. – Sunday, El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents rescued five distressed illegal aliens who were lost in the desert without food or water while making an attempt to illegally enter the United States.
The incident occurred at approximately 8:30 a.m., when Border Patrol Radio Dispatch received a call from the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) advising them of a 911 distress call from an individual that was lost in the desert.
An approximate location of the men was established using Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates from the cell phone call. The Border Patrol Search, Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) Unit along with Air and Marine assets collaborated in an effort to search the area.
At approximately 10:20 a.m., during a systematic search of the area, five Mexican citizens illegally in the U.S. were discovered near Old Mine Rd. and Highway 78. BORSTAR agents performed a medical evaluation of the men who appeared to be suffering from dehydration and exhaustion, two of the men had injuries sustained during a fall.
Upon further evaluation it was determined that two of the men had possible fractures, one man with an injury to his arm and another man with an injured ankle and were transported to a local hospital for further medical treatment.
Three of the subjects will be processed for removal from the U.S. and the other two will be processed following their release from the hospital.
The El Centro Sector’s Community Awareness Campaign is a simple and effective program to raise public awareness on the indicators of crime and other threats. We encourage public and private sector employees to remain vigilant and play a key role in keeping our country safe. Please report any suspicious activity to the Border Community Threat Hotline at 1-800-901-2003.