see also: in November 2007 News Releases:   CBP Officers Seize 50 Pounds of Cocaine, Three Pounds of Heroin, Guns & Ammo, Arrest 22 For Illegal Entry and Arrest 20 Fugitives During Two-Week Holiday Span at Laredo Port of Entry   Border Patrol Agents Arrest Convicted Sex Offender   Border Patrol Seizes One Ton of Marijuana at Sierra Blanca Checkpoint   Border Patrol Yields $3.7 Million in a Day’s Seizures   Border Patrol and Coast Guard Sign Cooperation Agreement   CBP Seized Cocaine Concealed in Suitcase   Border Patrol Agents Seize 5,450 Pounds of Marijuana Near Freer ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Yuma, Ariz. - Border Patrol agents from the Yuma Sector arrested five individuals Tuesday and one individual early Wednesday morning who have a combined 80 previous arrests in the United States.

At approximately 4:25 a.m. Tuesday, agents from the Blythe Station arrested Felipe Cruz-Mendoza, a 39-year-old citizen of El Salvador with known gang affiliations. He was taken into custody and transported to the Blythe Station for further processing. Record checks revealed that he had been arrested 13 times prior for crimes such as murder, assault with a deadly weapon, grand theft auto, sales of narcotics and possession of a firearm, among other things. Mendoza has spent 6 years in prison for his previous crimes. He is being presented for prosecution for re-entry after deportation, illegal entry and reinstatement of deportation.

At 8:45 a.m. the same day, agents from the Yuma Station arrested Azael Santos-Juan, a 28-year-old citizen of Mexico near the Colorado River. Juan stated that he was planning to catch a freight train heading to Los Angeles, Calif. He was taken into custody and transported to the Yuma Station for further processing. Record checks revealed that Juan has been previously arrested 10 times for disorderly conduct along with prior arrests for theft, trespassing, battery and solicitation of prostitution. He has served approximately 50 days in jail and was on probation for 7 years. He is being presented for prosecution for re-entry after deportation, illegal entry and reinstatement of deportation.

At 9:15 a.m., agents from the Wellton Station arrested Julio Ramos-Ceballos, a 23-year-old citizen of Mexico who admitted to being a member of the “Sureno” gang with affiliation to the “Fly Boys” out of Stockton, Calif. Ceballos was en-route to Stockton at the time of his arrest. During processing at the Wellton Station, records checks revealed that he has been previously arrested twice for possession of a controlled substance for sale and also arrested for possession of a firearm. He has spent 10 years on probation for those charges. Ceballos is being presented for prosecution of re-entry after deportation, illegal entry and reinstatement of deportation.

At 7:45 p.m., agents from the Yuma Station ATV Unit tracked and arrested an illegal alien who swam across the All-American Canal approximately 7 miles west of the Andrade, Calif. port of entry. The man, later revealed to be Ramon Vasquez-Chavez, a 41-year-old citizen of Mexico, was taken into custody and transported to the Yuma Station for further processing. Record checks revealed that Chavez had prior arrests for alien smuggling, vehicular manslaughter, auto theft and possession of a controlled substance among other things. He as spent over 6 years in prison for his previous crimes. Chavez is being presented for prosecution for re-entry after deportation, illegal entry and reinstatement of deportation.

About 9:00 p.m., agents from the Yuma Station arrested Eduardo Martinez-Lopez, a 25-year-old citizen of Mexico who admitted to being a member of the “Paisanos” gang in Mexico. Lopez was apprehended near the Colorado River and stated he was in route to Fresno, Calif. He was taken into custody and transported to the Yuma Station. Record checks revealed that Lopez had prior arrests for vehicle theft, hit and run, possession of stolen property, battery, evading arrest, burglary and being under the influence of a controlled substance. He has spent over 5 years in prison Lopez is being presented for re-entry after deportation, illegal entry and reinstatement of deportation.

At approximately 4:00 a.m. Wednesday, agents from the Yuma Station arrested Elsa Aguilar-Lugo, a 46-year-old citizen of Mexico, east of the Andrade, Calif. Port of Entry near the Colorado River. Lugo provided a false name and date of birth. However, during processing, her real identity was revealed. She stated that she was planning on traveling to Fresno, Calif. Her prior criminal arrests include theft, burglary, sale of marijuana, possession of cannabis, felony assault with a deadly weapon, assault with gross bodily harm and disorderly conduct. Lugo has spent 3 years in prison. She is being presented for re-entry after deportation, illegal entry and reinstatement of deportation.

The latest arrests by Yuma Sector agents demonstrate the continued hard work and devotion that the men and women of the Border Patrol do on a daily basis to keep our nation safe.

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.