see also: in February 2006 News Releases:   CBP Border Patrol Agents Seize 1,321 Pounds Of Marijuana   CBP Air and Border Patrol Agents Rescue Five People in Desert   Truck Manifest Certifications Triple in One Week   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Seizes Textile and Wearing Apparel in Buffalo   CBP Border Patrol Agent Rescues Mexican National   CBP Officers in Falcon Dam Prevent Attempt to Illegally Export Wallabies ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Yuma, Ariz. – This morning, a group of desperate illegal aliens activated a rescue beacon in a remote area of the desert and were subsequently rescued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Border Patrol agents.

At 7:30 a.m., a group of 14 illegal aliens activated a Border Patrol Rescue Beacon, which is located approximately 30 miles south of Dateland, Arizona. Border Patrol agents from the Wellton Station quickly responded and encountered the group consisting of seven females and seven males, including two 13 year olds. The subjects, all whom were from Oaxaca, Mexico, were exhausted and stated that the two smugglers who were leading them through the desert abandoned them when they could not continue. The subjects did not require medical treatment and were taken to the Wellton Border Patrol Station to be processed. The Mexican Consulate was notified of the incident.

Since October 1, 2005, CBP Border Patrol agents in the Yuma Sector have rescued 143 people compared to 49 people rescued during the same time frame last year. Last year was a record year for Yuma Sector with 423 rescues throughout the entire year. If you see or hear any suspicious activity of interest to the Border Patrol, please call toll free at 1-866-999-USBP (8727).

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 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.