El Paso, Texas – Agents assigned to the El Paso Sector Border Patrol made a significant controlled substance seizure and apprehended seven smugglers associated with the drug loads this week.
Santa Teresa agents conducting regular patrol duties along the U.S./Mexico International Boundary discovered fresh shoe prints in the desert sand.
It appeared that there was an attempt to disguise the prints in the sand, however, due to the experience of the agents, they were able to make out the sole markings of three separate subjects.
Other agents in the area were notified about the incursion and helped track the foot sign further north from the border.
The sign led to the industrial warehouse area near the Santa Teresa Airport. Three suspected illegal smugglers were seen carrying large backpacks near the warehouse traveling north.
By quickly responding to the incident, the agents located three adult males and seized their illegal contraband without incident.
Alejandro Solorio Hernandez, 22, of Chihuahua, Mexico, Samuel Cruz Perea, 20, of Chihuahua, and Luis Enrique Garcia Valenzuela, 38, also of Chihuahua, were apprehended.
The content of the backpacks revealed several wrapped bundles. The bundles tested positive for marijuana totaling to 123.66 pounds, valued at an estimated $98,928.
Later that night in Lordsburg, agents using night vision technology obtained a visual on two subjects running north toward NM Highway 9.
Each subject appeared to be carrying a large backpack. Lordsburg agents continued ahead of the pair to meet them near the highway.
When the subjects were close to the Highway 9 fence, one subject was immediately apprehended with a backpack full of marijuana bundles.
One adult male, Alejandro Diaz Diaz, 27, from Mexico, and 92.4 pounds of marijuana were seized. The approximate street value of the contraband was $73,920.
At midnight on Friday, while patrolling the border area, Fabens Agents, along with Fabens Bike and ATV units, arrested three undocumented subjects who were smuggling backpacks loaded with 115.4 pounds of marijuana wrapped in individual cellophane bricks.
They were apprehended near the Tornillo, Texas Port of Entry. The estimated street value of the drugs was $92,320. All of the subjects and marijuana were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration in El Paso, Texas.