San Luis, Ariz. - U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the San Luis port of entry prevented a stolen vehicle from leaving the country on July 13.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. on July 13, a 2007 Toyota Tacoma driven by a 26-year-old man was attempting to drive into Mexico when stopped by CBP officers working outbound operations. During the inspection, officers determined the man was a U. S. citizen and the vehicle was stolen. They immediately arrested the man and seized the vehicle.
According to Port Director William Brooks, not only are CBP officers committed to preventing criminals from entering through the ports of entries, but preventing them from exiting through them as well.
"In addition to keeping our communities safe from dangerous criminals and narcotics from entering through the port, we are also vigilant when it comes to who or what leaves through the port."
The driver and vehicle were turned over to the Yuma Police Department.
A criminal complaint is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Field Operations is responsible for securing our borders at the ports of entry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers' primary mission is anti-terrorism; they screen all people, vehicles, and goods entering the United States while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel into and out of the United States. Their mission also includes carrying out traditional border-related responsibilities, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration law, protecting the nation's food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases, and enforcing trade laws. While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in impressive numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.