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  4. Agents Arrest 6 Individuals and Discovered a Loaded Firearm in Motel Room

Agents Arrest 6 Individuals and Discovered a Loaded Firearm in Motel Room

Release Date
Tue, 02/01/2022

EL CENTRO, Calif – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested a United States citizen, five undocumented individuals and seized a firearm, inside a motel room Friday morning. 

At approximately 10:30 a.m., El Centro Sector’s Intelligence agents were conducting surveillance of a local motel. 

Agents recognized a blue Hyundai Elantra suspected of human smuggling enter the parking lot of the motel. One of the passengers exited the vehicle and entered the motel lobby. The driver and four other occupants exited the vehicle and were guided by the passenger into a nearby room. Agents observed the driver leave the motel. 

Intelligence agents approached the room and identified themselves as Border Patrol agents. Agents proceeded to conduct a consensual request to inspect the room. Once allowed, agents entered the room and encountered five undocumented individuals and one United States citizen. A loaded handgun was found inside a sweatshirt pocket during a pat down.

Motels within border cities are commonly utilized by smugglers due to their low cost and proximity to egress routes away from the border.

All individuals were placed under arrest and transported to the El Centro Sector Centralized Processing Center. The handgun was seized, and all individuals will be processed accordingly. 

Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection. For all news, information, and updates follow us on Twitter @CBPElCentro, @USBPChiefELC and Instagram.
 

Last Modified: Feb 01, 2022