see also: in February 2002:   U.S. Customs Airspace Security Effort at 2002 Winter Olympics A Success   Seven Arrested in U.S. Customs Seizure of 4,320 Pounds of Marijuana in Philadelphia   Operation Green Quest Overview   U.S. Customs to Begin Collecting Duties on Imported Costumes on Saturday   U.S. Customs Service Inspectors Seize $100,000 at Sasabe Port of Entry   U.S. Customs Inspectors at World Trade Bridge Seize Nearly Four Tons of Marijuana in Nine Days ...more

contacts for this news release

Hidalgo, Texas - U.S. Customs inspectors at the Hidalgo Port of Entry today detained two fugitives who were wanted by the FBI on murder charges.

U.S. Customs inspectors turned a 48-year-old male and a 38-year-old female from Enid, Okla., over to the FBI this afternoon pursuant to outstanding warrants for murder and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Two minor children riding in one of two vehicles referred for inspection will be turned over to guardians who are being flown in from Oklahoma.

Shortly before noon today, a U.S. Customs inspector at the Hidalgo Bridge referred a 1992 Chevy Beretta northbound for a secondary examination. During the examination, U.S. Customs inspectors referencing a national crime database discovered that the two individuals had outstanding federal warrants for murder and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. After the warrants were confirmed, the two were turned over to the FBI.

A short time later, a U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service Inspector referred a 2000 Ford van for a secondary examination. During the examination, a National Guardsman assisting federal inspection service agencies discovered that the two minor children in the van were a positive match for children featured in wallet pictures held by one of subjects that was detained on the murder warrant. The two children were reported missing and endangered and were turned over to U.S. Customs custody. The driver of the van was not arrested but was being interviewed by the FBI. The children, a male and female, remained in U.S. Customs custody and will be turned over to guardians en route from Oklahoma.

The two individuals apprehended by U.S. Customs were reportedly featured on the "America's Most Wanted" program.