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USBP Operation Guardian Support: Continued Success in Border Security

Release Date
Wed, 06/27/2018

TUCSON, Ariz. –Operation Guardian Support, a joint operation between the National Guard and Department of Homeland Security, continues to be a success in Arizona.

Since April 6, Guard personnel have assisted the U.S. Border Patrol in Tucson Sector with more than 1,800 arrests, the seizure of more than 3,100 pounds of marijuana, 12 conveyances, and 11 rescues.

Using two of four helicopters, joint Guard/ Border Patrol aircrews assisted in the apprehension of nine illegal aliens from the west desert on June 20.  

In one event, a helicopter responded to a rural area north of State Route 86 to search for four suspected illegal aliens that agents on the ground were unable to locate. Guard personnel in one helicopter spotted and guided agents to where the suspects were hiding, and despite attempts to flee, the constant visual presence provided by Guard personnel allowed agents to arrest all four suspects on the ground.

Around the same time, another helicopter flew over Horse Peak in Vamori to search for a group of five who began running in different directions to avoid arrest. Due to the quick response and advantages of the aerial asset, the joint aircrew located all five individuals in separate locations, attempting to hide and evade arrest. Again, the guidance of Operation Guardian Support personnel, agents were able to arrest all five suspects.

In total, 11 men were arrested and found to be illegally present in the United States. Six of the men were found to be citizens of Honduras, two were Guatemalan, and one a Mexican national. They were all processed for immigration and criminal violations.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021