AZMEX UPDATE 16-2-13

AZMEX UPDATE 16 FEB 2013


Work begins to fix border fencing
February 15, 2013 4:54 PM

BY JAMES GILBERT @YSJamesGilbert
Construction is under way to repair a 114-foot section of border
fencing that collapsed last summer near Los Algodones, Baja Calif.

According to Agent Kyle Estes of the Yuma Sector Public Affairs
Office, a contractor has finally been selected and work on the fence
began Wednesday.
"It should take about a month or six weeks to complete the project.
About the end of March is what they are expecting."

Estes said the 18-foot-tall section of steel fencing collapsed at
about 8 p.m. July 25 during excavation work on the Mexican side of
the border.

The excavating equipment belonged to Haro Express, a Mexican material
transporting company. The company was reportedly under a deadline for
a construction project on a plaza in downtown Algodones.

The section that collapsed is about a quarter-mile west of the U.S.
Port of Entry in Andrade, Calif., and is part of the network of
fencing that stretches along the border, including the 126-mile Yuma
Sector, to prevent illegal immigrants and drug smugglers from
entering the country.

Estes said the collapsed fence is about 13 feet inside U.S.
territory, so workers can repair it without ever crossing to the
Mexican side. The fence is made of heavy steel and is reinforced by
footings buried underground.

Border Patrol beefed up security measures in the area when the fence
collapsed to prevent illegal border crossings from coming through the
gap. Those included erecting a temporary chain link fence, using
flood lamps to keep the area well lit and increasing the number of
agents on patrol in the area.

Estes said in the past six months, the Border Patrol has not seen an
increase in the number of attempts being made to enter the country
illegally in that area.
"It hasn't been a problem having that stretch of fence down."

The increased security will remain in place until repairs have been
completed, according to Estes.

Read more: http://www.yumasun.com/articles/border-85311-fence-
collapsed.html#ixzz2L4xd2LJe


Suspected smugglers, convicted rapist nabbed
February 15, 2013 4:44 PM
BY JAMES GILBERT @YSJamesGilbert

Seven alleged drug smugglers backpacking marijuana through the Cabeza
Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, as well as a convicted rapist, were
arrested this week by U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Yuma
Sector's Wellton Station.

According to Agent Kyle Estes of the Yuma Sector Communications
Division, late Wednesday night agents began tracking footprints that
had crossed the Camino Del Diablo trail and eventually overtook a
group of seven smugglers who were carrying backpacks filled with
marijuana.

The marijuana had a combined weight of 337 pounds and an estimated
street value of $168,500.

Estes said the following day, agents responded to a citizen's report
of a possible undocumented alien near Sentinel, Ariz., and arrested a
male Mexican national illegally present in the United States.

A background check revealed that the man had numerous felony
convictions, including rape in Twin Falls, Idaho, possession of
marijuana for sale in Phoenix, and several deportations.

Yuma-area residents can help the Border Patrol by calling
1-866-999-8727 toll-free to report suspicious activity. Callers can
remain anonymous.

Read more: http://www.yumasun.com/articles/marijuana-85310-smugglers-
yuma.html#ixzz2L4y0xWEc