see also: in September 2006 News Releases:   CBP Seized Heroin Onboard Mayaguez Ferry   The Dominican Republic to Implement Container Security Initiative and Begin Targeting and Pre-Screening Cargo Destined For U.S.   Bahamas to Implement Container Security Initiative and Begin Targeting and Pre-Screening Cargo Destined for United States   Civil Penalties for Agriculture Import Violations to Increase October 1   CBP Border Patrol Arrests Homicide Suspect in Abilene, Texas   Border Patrol Advanced Training to Move to Charleston, S.C.   National Guard Spots Attempted Vehicle Drive-through ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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San Ysidro, CA — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers conducting routine border enforcement operations at the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa ports of entry apprehended 50 suspects with outstanding arrest warrants in one week, officials announced today. All 50 subjects were wanted on local, state, and federal felony warrants and were apprehended from Friday, August 25 through Thursday, August 31.

CBP officers arrested 27-year old Syed Zaidi, a U.S. citizen, when he came through the Otay Mesa border station at about 8:15 a.m. on Saturday, August 26. A law enforcement query revealed he has an active felony warrant that stipulated no bail, for a sexual offense with a minor out of Ventura, CA.

On Sunday, August 27, at about 9:45 a.m., CBP officers encountered 38-year old Maria Concepcion Unzueta, a Mexican citizen when she entered the United States through the Otay Mesa port. She was taken into custody during an enforcement operation after it was revealed she had a half a million-dollar bench warrant for her arrest for various narcotic offenses out of San Joaquin, CA.

CBP officers arrested 20-year old Antonio Figueroa, a U.S. citizen and documented gang member from Escondido, CA when he entered the Otay Mesa border station at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday. Systems checks revealed Figueroa to be an armed and dangerous suspect wanted on a felony assault no bail warrant. Figueroa was taken into custody and transported to the San Diego County jail.

On Monday, August 28 at about 7:30 p.m., CBP officers arrested 27-year old Benjamin Harrison Wagner, a U.S. citizen, when he applied for entry through the San Ysidro port. CBP officers identified Wagner as having three active felony warrants for dangerous drugs issued out of the Orange County Sheriffs Office.

The remaining 46 warrants were for other criminal offenses such as larceny, probation violations, and armed robbery.

“CBP plays a vital role in securing our nation’s border and 300 million Americans depend on us,” said James Hynes, port director of the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa ports of entry. “The most important functions CBP officers perform are determining identity, and the purpose and intent of individuals who cross our border. These arrests are a direct result of CBP officers performing their law enforcement duties in a vigilant, comprehensive and professional manner.”

In Fiscal Year 2005 CBP Officers in the Port of San Ysidro, California, (which encompasses the Otay Mesa border station) arrested over 1,100 fugitives, seized over 140,000 pounds of narcotics and apprehended 60,000 individuals attempting to illegally enter the United States. Since the beginning of fiscal year 2006, CBP officers have arrested approximately 1,200 fugitives up 25 percent from the same time last year.

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.