Border Agent Assaulted – US and GOM Collab Arrests Attacker and Four More
Photo: seized ammo
SAN DIEGO – Lacerations and contusions in the line of duty is the result of a recent incident at the Border, two miles east of the San Ysidro Port of Entry, when a female agent was attempting to apprehend close to a dozen migrants. Reportedly, a group of 12-15 were located in between the primary and secondary border walls.
When the group received an alert of the agent’s nearby presence – they immediately scaled the primary border wall to hurriedly and secretly avoid detection. As they absconded back into Mexico, and the lone agent made an atempt to recover a makeshift ladder used during the attempt – one member of the group grabbed the ladder.
During the struggle that ensued at approximately 3:15 AM on 08/28/2021, a smuggler in Mexico struck out under the cover of darkness. What was believed to be a large object – a 2×4 board – forcefully jabbed at the agent through a slot in the wall.
Now visibly injured, the Border Patrol agent retrieved the ladder during her retreat to safety. “Backup agents quickly arrived at the site and transported the injured agent to a local hospital,” said CBP, “where she was treated for contusions and facial lacerations.”
An immediate targeted-operation collaboration was set in motion on 09/01/2021 as the USBP SDC Foreign Operations Branch (FOB) coordinated with Government of Mexico (GOM) to set their sites on the Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO) who assaulted the agent. Shared information of current known smugglers in the area of the assault assisted in the investigation with GOM Two immediately-executed search warrants by the GoM’s Fiscalia General de la Republica (FGR) produced five arrests: a United States Citizen and four Mexican Nationals. “Additionally, five vehicles, a residential property, an undisclosed amount of fentanyl pills, a half kilogram of methamphetamine, numerous rounds of various ammunition, and a cache of ready-to-use ladders were seized in connection with Saturday’s assault,” said CBP.
As a result, Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke issued the following Kudos: “I commend our agents and Mexico law enforcement partners on these arrests and seizures. Assaults against our agents will never be tolerated and as witnessed by this operation, we will always leverage our resources and strong binational partnerships to bring the perpetrators and their criminal associates to justice regardless of where they hide.”
