An alleged cartel smuggling scout was arrested in the mountains southeast of Yuma, authorities said.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection did not identify the person arrested but stated they were apprehended in the Sierra Pinta Mountains by Yuma Sector Border Patrol, Yuma Air Branch, and Marine agents.
According to CBP, the subject was transported to the Wellton Station to be processed and their record checked.
The case will be prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, as will any future removal procedures.
The individual was charged with illegal entry, but CBP said he could face charges for scouting during sentencing.
“The arrest of this dangerous smuggler is a perfect example of a unified border enforcement team working together to achieve a successful law enforcement outcome,” Acting Chief Patrol Agent Dustin Caudle said in a Wednesday announcement. “These ruthless transnational criminal organizations have no regard for human life, and the dismantling of these cartel networks ensures a secure border that increases the safety of agents and our communities.”
What else was found with alleged cartel smuggling scout in the Arizona mountains?
CBP reported that while inspecting the individual’s location, agents discovered food supplies, sustainment equipment, and a solar panel, indicating a long-term scouting mission.
Scouts use vantage locations in the highlands to monitor law enforcement movements, according to CBP.
The Yuma Sector Targeting and Intelligence Division has been looking into cartel scouting actions in conjunction with undocumented migrants moving through the Wellton Station area of responsibility.
CBP stated that apprehending the scout will hamper the cartel’s capacity to monitor authorities’ actions in the area.