CBP officers arrest homicide suspect, make 24 drug seizures

Melissa Luna
·2 min read
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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at El Paso area ports of entry apprehended 25 wanted individuals, made 24 drug seizures, seized weapons and ammunition and recorded multiple agriculture violations last week.

CBP says the most significant arrest occurred on Monday, April 8 at the Ysleta port of entry when officers encountered 21-year-old U.S. citizen Maximiliano Sandoval Muniz entering the U.S. from Mexico through the pedestrian lanes.

A system query confirmed that Muniz was being sought by the Fort Worth Police Department on a homicide charge.

Muniz was taken into custody and turned over to the El Paso Police Department to face extradition. An additional 24 NCIC arrests were made for crimes such as assault, alien smuggling, drug charges money laundering, and DUI.

CBP also made 24 drug seizures last week and provided details on two incidents.

CBP officers working on Thursday, April 11 at the Bridge of the Americas international crossing seized 153 grams of fentanyl after a 45-year-old woman, a U.S. citizen arrived via the pedestrian lanes. CBP says a fentanyl-filled bundle was recovered after a drug-sniffing dog alerted to the presence of drugs.

153 grams of fentanyl <em>Photo: U.S. CBP</em>
153 grams of fentanyl Photo: U.S. CBP

CBP officers working on Saturday, April 13 at the Paso Del Norte international crossing seized 22.8 pounds of methamphetamine. Officers discovered bundles within the quarter panels of a Nissan Altima being driven by a 26-year-old woman Mexican citizen. A drug-sniffing dog alerted to the presence of drugs and an x-ray scan confirmed the presence of packages in the vehicle.

22.8 pounds of methamphetamine <em>Photo: U.S. CBP</em>
22.8 pounds of methamphetamine Photo: U.S. CBP

CBP officers also seized two handguns and almost 3,800 rounds of ammunition during the week.

The largest seizure occurred on Friday, April 12, when officers at the Bridge of the Americas seized 3,650 rounds of ammunition hidden in the trunk of a vehicle being driven by a 39-year-old Mexican woman. The seizure included 2,000 rounds of .9 mm, 150 rounds of .357, and 1,000 rounds of .40 and .22 rounds ammunition.

3,650 rounds of ammunition hidden in the trunk of a vehicle <em>Photo: U.S. CBP</em>
3,650 rounds of ammunition hidden in the trunk of a vehicle Photo: U.S. CBP

CBP agriculture specialist also administered $3,375 in penalties against 17 individuals who were encountered transporting prohibited agriculture products into the U.S. from Mexico.

Seized items included pork, chorizo, eggs, tomatoes, peppers, mangos, apples, avocados, and live plants.

Subjects arrested by CBP officers were turned over to federal/state authorities for prosecution.

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