see also: in August 2007 News Releases:   Border Patrol Agents Seize Drugs at California Checkpoint   Palm Beach, Fla. Welcomes New Tool in Fighting Terror Weapons   Drug Seizure Activity at Border Ports Remains Brisk; El Paso CBP Nabs More Than 2 Tons of Pot   Yuma Border Agents Help Local Police Track 3 Fleeing Burglary Scene   CBP Officers at Laredo, Texas Entry Seize Almost $6 Million in Drugs in Two Seizures   Suspected Smuggling Lookouts Captured in Desert   1st Director of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Northwest Retires ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Yuma, Ariz. - Private security contractors guarding equipment used to construct infrastructure along the U.S./Mexico border in the Yuma Sector are the latest victims of violence from Mexico when gunshots were allegedly fired toward them Wednesday.

About 9:45 a.m., a security officer from Pinkerton Government Services notified U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol agents that approximately 12 to 15 gunshots were heard while he and two other guards were near the border about 30 miles south of Wellton, Ariz. Immediately after the shots rang out, the guards spotted a white 4-door sedan driving slowly westbound along Mexican Highway 2.

By 9:50 a.m., a CBP Air and Marine Operations Yuma Branch helicopter responded to the area and spotted the vehicle driving off road south of a military checkpoint in Mexico. Mexican authorities were notified of the incident. No one was injured in the incident.

The incident marks the second time in a week that violence with guns has been directed toward the U.S. from Mexico. On Aug. 23, a CBP AMO pilot was assisting ground agents after a suspected smuggling vehicle got stuck while trying to escape into Mexico near County 11 ½ and the Colorado River. While hovering above the vehicle, the pilot, utilizing the helicopter’s forward-looking infrared system (FLIR), saw an occupant emerge from the vehicle and point a rifle in his direction. The pilot immediately maneuvered the aircraft away from the area. No gunshots were reported from either the pilot or agents on the ground.

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.