see also: in June 2005 Press Releases:   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Trains Dogs to Detect Drugs and Humans   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Seize 132 Pounds of Cocaine, 134 Pounds of Heroin in Coffee Cans   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Seizes Thousands of Illegal Fireworks   CBP Officers Find Marijuana After Sentri Participant Absconds from Car   CBP Border Patrol Agents Seize 261 Pounds Of Ecstasy   United States' Schmitz is Elected to Director at the World Customs Organization ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Albuquerque, NM – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Border Patrol agents arrested a 31 year-old undocumented Mexican national wanted in connection to a homicide in Florida.

Border Patrol agents stopped a 1993 Aerostar van with Tennessee license plates east of Albuquerque New Mexico. After questioning, it was determined that the driver and the 10 passengers were illegally in the United States. They were all transported to the Albuquerque Border Patrol Station for processing.

Using biometric identification technology, it was determined that the driver, Aloberto Hernandez-Ortiz, had an outstanding felony warrant in connection to a 2004 murder that occurred in Fort Meyers, Florida in which the victim was stabbed to death. The suspect is currently in custody pending extradition to Florida. The remaining 10 illegal aliens were granted a voluntary return to Mexico.

The technology, the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System, or IAFIS, enables CBP Border Patrol agents to search fingerprint databases simultaneously using the Automated Biometric Identification System (IDENT) and the FBI fingerprint database. It provides rapid identification of individuals with outstanding criminal warrants by electronically comparing a live-scanned fingerprint against a nationwide database of biometrically indexed fingerprints.

“As this case amply demonstrates our commitment to securing our nation’s borders from terrorists and their weapons, we are as committed to securing our homeland from criminals of all types,” stated David Aguilar, National Chief of the Border Patrol. “The IAFIS biometric technology that we have deployed at every Border Patrol station is a critical tool for our front line Border Patrol agents.”

From September 1, 2004 through June 23, 2005, CBP Border Patrol agents have identified 102,024 IAFIS lookouts involving major crimes to include; 391 homicide suspects; 136 kidnapping suspects; 525 sexual assault suspects; 849 robbery suspects; 5,154 suspects for assaults of other types; and 10,394 suspects involved with dangerous narcotics as a direct result of IAFIS technology.

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.