BP: More marijuana, fewer immigrants for Valley in fiscal year ‘09

EDINBURG — Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley seized more marijuana but arrested fewer undocumented immigrants this fiscal year compared to the previous 12 months, according to statistics released this week by officials.

A statement issued by the U.S. Border Patrol says agents were also assaulted more frequently.

The agency arrested19 percent fewer undocumented immigrants in the 2009 fiscal year than it did in the 2008 fiscal year. The total number of arrested immigrants of non-Mexican origin decreased by 20 percent.

The Rio Grande Valley sector saw a 124 percent jump in marijuana seizures. Nationally, the Rio Grande Valley sector ranks first in cocaine seizures and third in marijuana seizures.

In fiscal year 2009, the sector arrested 60,985 undocumented immigrants. Of these, 15,929 persons were of non-Mexican origin from 74 different countries. Next to Mexicans, Honduran immigrants were most commonly detained at 7,069 arrests.

Border Patrol agents seized 848,334 pounds of marijuana, 4,629 pounds of cocaine and 1,465.42 ounces of heroin last year. The agency also presented 9,797 prosecution cases for charges involving illegal entry, re-entry after deportation and alien smuggling.

Agents confiscated 2,289 vehicles used by alien smugglers. This marked a 9 percent decrease in alien smuggling cases from last year.

The sector saw about 88 assaults against agents this year — a 24-percent increase compared to fiscal year 2008 — including shootings, rock throwing, physical assaults, vehicle assaults and threats.

Officials recorded 76 rescue efforts that saved the lives of 121 people. Despite these efforts, 71 illegal immigrants lost their lives entering the United States.

Overall Border Patrol narcotics seizures across the nation’s border entries climbed by 57 percent, with a 316 percent increase in heroin seized, 58 percent increase in marijuana seized and an 18 percent increase in cocaine seized.

As a whole, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized more cash and drugs but arrested fewer people this fiscal year compared to the previous 12 months in the United States.

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Ana Ley covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4428.