CBP Officers at the Hidalgo International Bridge Take Custody of Fugitive Wanted on an Alleged Charge of Capital Murder
Hidalgo, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers working at the Hidalgo International Bridge took custody of a fugitive returned to the United States by Mexican law enforcement authorities yesterday evening.
On Nov. 3, CBP officers working at the Hidalgo International Bridge took custody of a fugitive returned to the U.S. by Mexican law enforcement authorities. The extradited man was identified as Valentin Martinez, a U.S. citizen, age 36 from Penitas, Texas. CBP officers conducted database checks and confirmed that Martinez was the subject of an outstanding criminal arrest warrant issued by the Pharr, Texas Police Department. The warrant indicated that Martinez was wanted on an alleged charge of capital murder. After his arrest, Martinez was transferred to the custody of the Pharr, Texas Police Department.
Hector A. Mancha, CBP port director, Hidalgo-Pharr said, “This is an example of the great international cooperation between U.S. law enforcement agencies and the Government of Mexico to apprehend and to return U.S. citizens who flee into Mexico in an attempt to avoid justice.” Mancha further said, “I commend our officers for their work in processing this fugitive and for their work in securing our nation’s borders.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
