see also: in July 2007 News Releases:   CBP Air and Marine Acquires Helicopters for Border Security Mission   CBP Officers At El Paso Port Nab 50 Pounds Of Cocaine; Two Juveniles Taken Into Custody   CBP Border Patrol Agent Dies In the Line of Duty   Hong Kong to Scan U.S.-Bound Goods for Radiation as Part of Secure Freight Initiative   Border Patrol Assists in Third Canal Rescue in a Week   CBP Officers Apprehend Fugitive Wanted For Murder, Rape, Burglary   Operation Streamline Nets 1,200-Plus Prosecutions in Arizona ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Buffalo, N.Y. - U.S Customs and Border Protection officers yesterday apprehended an El Salvadorian national as he attempted to enter the United States illegally as a stowaway aboard an inbound freight train. CBP officers, using advanced scanning technology system at the Black Rock International Rail Bridge, discovered the individual hiding inside a rail car.

On July 16, at approximately 2:45 p.m., CBP officers were reviewing an inspection scan of an arriving Canadian Pacific train using gamma-imaging technology. The officers discovered an anomaly consistent with that of a stowaway hiding inside of one of the freight cars. CBP officers ordered the train to come to a controlled stop and converged on the rail car. The suspect was discovered hiding on the inside of a hopper car and was immediately taken into custody by CBP officers.

The stowaway was later identified as Ever Varela-Gonzalez, a 39 year-old citizen of El Salvador without proper documentation to enter or remain in the United States. Record checks revealed that Varela-Gonzalez had been previously deported from the United States in August of 2003.

“In yesterday’s case, the individual attempted to enter the United States illegally by evading inspection by CBP officers” stated Kevin Corsaro, CBP Public Affairs Officer for the Buffalo Field Office. Varela-Gonzalez was criminally charged with attempted illegal reentry after removal and attempted illegal entry. He is being detained in the Erie County Holding Center pending arraignment in Buffalo District Court.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 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.