El Paso, Texas -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the El Paso Port of Entry detained a juvenile girl yesterday reported as missing to authorities by her mother in El Paso.
“Our officers did an outstanding job in detaining and confirming the identity of this missing juvenile,” said Bill Molaski, U.S. Customs and Border Protection El Paso port director, “CBP officers at the El Paso Port of Entry identify approximately two dozen wanted people every week because of our inspection process.”
The missing juvenile detection was made at approximately 2:47 p.m. when a 14-year-old entered the Bridge of the Americas crossing from Mexico. The juvenile told CBP officers that she had fled from home and was in Juarez. CBP officers performed a query and found that there was a National Crime Information Center lookout for the resident of El Paso. CBP officers took custody of the juvenile and confirmed the lookout. The juvenile was turned over to El Paso police officers.
In addition to the missing juvenile, CBP officers at the El Paso port were busy performing their anti-terrorism mission and associated enforcement responsibilities during the day. Enforcement highlights of the day were one currency seizure and four marijuana smuggling attempts that were stopped. CBP officers seized $13,534 and a total of 103.85 pounds of marijuana Wednesday.
CBP officers also recorded seven immigration violations at area ports including six intended immigrants and one imposter. Intended immigrants will use a legally issued border-crossing card (laser visa) to live or work in the United States, which is not authorized. They also lose their documents and are generally returned to Mexico. Imposters generally will use a legitimate entry document assigned to another person and present it as their own. Violators generally lose their documents, can be prosecuted and go to jail or are returned to Mexico.
CBP officers working at the El Paso port made one seizure of an agricultural item - prohibited pork. The violator paid $300 in penalties in association with the violation.
CBP officers working at area ports made a total of two fugitive apprehensions during the day.
CBP Field Operations is responsible for securing our borders at the ports of entry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers’ primary mission is anti-terrorism; they screen all people, vehicles, and goods entering the United States, while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel into and out of the United States. Their mission also includes carrying out traditional border-related responsibilities, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration law, protecting the nation’s food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases, and enforcing trade laws.
