see also: in September 2003:   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Nabs Three Sisters Smuggling Cocaine, Heroin   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Names Directors of 78 Major Ports Nationwide   CBP Inspectors Make Another Record Heroin Seizure at El Paso Port   CBP Inspectors Seize $268,936 in Eagle Pass; Husband, Wife Arrested   CBP Inspectors Find Heroin in Teddy Bear   CBP Signs $500 Million Contract With Chenega Technology Services Corporation   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Dedicates New Office Space in Newark, New Jersey ...more on cbp.gov:   Press Officers   CBP News Releases

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Brownsville, TX--U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Inspectors detained three Minnesota fugitives, including one who had been convicted of killing a police officer, last night at the Brownsville Port of Entry.

The incident occurred about 9:15 p.m. at the B&M Bridge. A CBP Inspector referred a possibly stolen1993 Ford Escort that had entered the U.S. from Mexico for a secondary examination. During the examination, CBP Inspectors referencing a national crime database determined that the vehicle was in fact reported stolen and that the three passengers each had outstanding state arrest warrants from the Minnesota Dept. of Corrections for absconding from supervision.

Passenger Roberto Salinas, 38, of Junction, TX was convicted of second-degree murder in the killing of a police officer. The driver, Jeremy Douglas Kellum, 29, of Mora, MN and passenger Mauro Lopez Jr., 47, of St. Cloud, MN each were convicted of possession of a controlled substance. All three had served time in prison and were placed in a halfway house in Golden Valley, MN when they fled the state, according to the Minnesota Dept. of Corrections.

After confirming the outstanding warrants, CBP Inspectors turned Salinas, Kellum and Lopez over to Brownsville Police Officers. All three were booked into Cameron County Jail and await extradition proceedings.

Margie Gutierrez, Interim Port Director, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Brownsville, congratulated the Inspectors on their work. "Our frontline Inspectors maintain their constant vigilance and prevented three fugitives from continuing their flight from justice," Gutierrez said.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is a new agency within the Department of Homeland Security that unifies U.S. Customs, Immigration and Agriculture Inspectors and the Border Patrol.