Yuma Sector agents seize stolen car, drug paraphernalia and cash
A stolen vehicle and thousands of dollars in cash were seized by Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents in two separate incidents in Blythe, Calif., over the past week.
According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection news release, in the first event, Blythe Section Border Patrol Integrated Targeting Team (ITT) agents were performing anti-smuggling operations on Interstate 40 on Friday, April 13.
“At approximately 3:15 a.m. they conducted an immigration stop on a 2006 Honda Civic bearing a Georgia license plate,” the release reads. “A Border Patrol canine positively alerted to the vehicle. Agents seized $18,540 in cash and other drug paraphernalia.”
The release shows that the 25-yearold male driver and 24-year-old male passenger were both United States citizens.
During the second incident, agents with the Blythe Station ITT attempted to perform an immigration stop on a 2018 Range Rover at approximately 2:45 a.m. on Wednesday.
Initially, the vehicle stopped, but sped off after agents tried to run checks on the vehicle identification number.
“After a short pursuit, the vehicle stopped and the suspect fled on foot,” the release states. “The suspect later surrendered after a short search of the area. During questioning, the suspect stated that he had stolen the vehicle in Tucson, Arizona.”
The release shows that the male suspect (a 23-year-old United States citizen) and stolen vehicle were turned over the La Paz County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials with U.S. Customs and Border Protection say that both ITT seizures were a part of a concentrated effort on Interstate 40 focused on Alien Smuggling.
“Integrated Targeting Teams were established in Yuma Sector to enhance U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Counter Network Approach,” the release reads. “They perform synchronized targeting of high-risk transnational and illicit criminal organizations.”
In addition to the two incidents, agents apprehended a total of 17 illegal immigrants over a two-week period.