CBP Officers at Eagle Pass Port of Entry Arrest Homicide Suspect, Thwart Alleged Alien Smuggling and Seize $642,000 in Cocaine
Written by Post Public Information Representative, May 24, 2011, 0 Comments
Courtesy U.S. Customs and Border Protection,
EAGLE PASS, TEXAS – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry put forward a robust weekend of enforcement activity including the apprehension of a homicide suspect, the thwarting of an alleged attempt to smuggle three undocumented persons and seizure of $642,000 in cocaine. The fugitive apprehension occurred on May 22, 2011 at Eagle Pass Bridge I. CBP officers observed a man approach the pedestrian walkway who attempted to flee back to Mexico but was subdued by CBP officers.
During a secondary examination, CBP officers discovered that the pedestrian, Michael Angelo Morales, 38, a U.S. citizen from Laredo , Texas , has an outstanding warrant for homicide. CBP officers confirmed the man’s identity, confirmed the warrant was active, arrested him and turned him over to the custody of Maverick County sheriff’s deputies for transport to a local jail pending extradition proceedings.
Also on May 22 at the same bridge, CBP officers seized 20 pounds of cocaine during a routine vehicle inspection. CBP officers examined a 2006 Ford Taurus and discovered eight packages in the bumper containing a total of 20 pounds of alleged cocaine. The cocaine has an estimated street value of $642,096. The driver, a 38-year-old U.S. citizen from Eagle Pass , was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.
On May 21, CBP officers at Camino Real International Bridge thwarted an alleged smuggling attempt of three undocumented migrants. A CBP officer conducting an examination of a 2004 Chevy Tahoe driven by a 39-year-old U.S. citizen from Dallas discovered a man hidden in the rear part of the vehicle. Further examination revealed two other men hidden in the vehicle. All of them were Mexican citizens, ages 27, 29 and 18, respectively, and none of them possessed any valid entry documents. A CBP officer processed the driver on alleged immigration law violations and all three undocumented migrants were taken into federal custody and face expedited removal.
‘The variety of enforcement actions reflects the versatility of our officers in enforcing the law and successful coordination with both our state and federal law enforcement partners,” said Cynthia O. Rodriguez, CBP Port Director, Eagle Pass.
