see also: in September 2007 News Releases:   CBP Seizes $2.5 Million Worth of Marijuana Inside Cargo Load at Texas Entry   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Achieves Container Security Initiative Milestone with 58 Operational Ports   CBP Agriculture Team Intercepts Narcotic Plant at Newark Airport   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Collects More Than $2.2 Million in Underpaid Antidumping Duty on Chinese Shrimp   Kiosks for Frequent International Fliers Now Available At Edmonton Airport   Port of Alexandria, Egypt Participates in the CBP Container Security Initiative   Ports of Colon and Manzanillo, Panama Begin Container Security Initiative Operations ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Washington – A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air Interdiction Officer pilot trainee died as a result of an aircraft crash that occurred today at approximately 12:40 p.m. EDT at Moriarty Airport, near Albuquerque, N.M.

The officer who died in the crash is Julio E. Baray. He is survived by his wife and two children. The crash occurred during training exercises.

“Today, the Customs and Border Protection family mourns the loss of Officer Julio Baray,” said Michael Kostelnik, assistant commissioner, CBP’s air and marine operations. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”

Officer Baray, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Mexico, joined the Border Patrol in September 1998 and served as a canine handler before he joined Air and Marine to become an air interdiction agent in February. He was stationed at El Paso Air Branch, El Paso, Texas.

Officer Baray, 39, was flying a syllabus training mission in a Cessna 210 with an Instructor Pilot (Air Interdiction Agent). The instructor pilot suffered injuries and was taken to the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, N.M., for treatment and is listed in stable condition. He is stationed at El Paso Air Branch in El Paso, Texas.

CBP’s Office of Air and Marine and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the incident.

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 the 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.