see also: in October 2008:   Mexican Military Makes Accidental Incursion into the U.S.   CBP Officers Apprehend Illegal Alien Hidden on Rail Car   Border Patrol Agents Make Several Drug Seizures Near Laredo   CBP Officers at the Calexico Downtown Port of Entry Intercept Cocaine Smuggling Attempt   CBP to Open Andrade Port of Entry Earlier During Agriculture Harvest Season   Layered Enforcement Snags U.S. Citizen, Foils 3 Smuggling Attempts   CBP Announces Online Method for Meeting SENTRI Vehicle Requirements ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

San Ysidro, Calif. - A 26-year-old Los Angeles man wanted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office on two warrants for police obstruction with a total bail amount of $3.5 million was apprehended early this morning by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the busy San Ysidro port of entry, officials announced today.

CBP officers also arrested 31 other fugitives wanted on outstanding felony warrants within the last seven days, officials said.

Jorge Mercado was detained by CBP officers after he entered the port from Mexico as the driver of a 1991 Dodge Intrepid at about 1 a.m. After Mercado presented his valid California identification card and birth certificate, the CBP officer queried law enforcement databases and developed information regarding the traveler's outstanding felony warrant.

Mercado, a U.S. citizen, was escorted by the CBP officer into the vehicle secondary inspection lot where his identity was confirmed using the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System and other databases. Additionally, CBP officers contacted the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office to confirm the active warrant.

Mercado was held by CBP enforcement officers until transfer to the custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office.

Mercado’s apprehension was one of 32 arrests made within the last seven days at the nation's busiest land border port and its neighbor facility at Otay Mesa. Outstanding warrants from various police agencies nationwide included charges of kidnapping adult to sexual assault, robbery, larceny, parole violations and dangerous drugs.

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.