see also: in November 2006 News Releases:   Ecstasy Seized in Border Smuggling Attempt   Illegal Entry, Vehicle Breakdown Yields Pot Seizure   City, County Governments Laud Efforts of Calexico CBP Officers   CBP Border Patrol Agents Arrest Convicted Felon   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Offers Tips for a Quick and Safe Holiday Travel Border Crossing Experience   Attempted Murder Suspects Caught at San Luis Port of Entry   CBP Border Patrol Rescues Four Members of Humane Borders ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Yuma, Ariz. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol agents from the Yuma Border Patrol station apprehended 37 illegal aliens after a failed border “drive through” attempt by six vehicles.

At midnight last night, Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents operating ground surveillance radar alerted fellow agents in the field after they noticed six vehicles driving without headlights enter the United States illegally. The vehicles entered the United States about 18 miles east of the port of entry in San Luis, Ariz., and proceeded into the Barry M. Goldwater aerial bombing range where they split up.

One vehicle promptly returned to Mexico, and three vehicles later returned after being intercepted by Border Patrol agents who deployed controlled tire deflation devices. The two remaining vehicles were spotted traveling across the bombing range by Border Patrol agents using forward-looking, infrared cameras.

Border Patrol agents apprehended 24 illegal aliens from one vehicle after it became stuck in the sand. The second vehicle initially evaded agents, but was later found in a lime grove and 13 illegal aliens were apprehended. The second vehicle’s driver and three occupants fled the scene on foot, escaping apprehension.

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 official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.