West Texas man sentenced to more than 7 years in federal prison for transporting child pornography

LUBBOCK, Texas — A west Texas man was sentenced Friday to seven years and three months in federal prison following his guilty plea in late December 2011 to transporting child pornography.

The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas. The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Tomas Lira Jr., 46, a resident of San Angelo, Texas, has been in custody since his October 2011 arrest.

According to documents filed in the case, Lira admitted that in August 2011 he posted an Internet ad on Craigslist.com in the personal category, "Men seeking men," under the title, "looking for a son." A HSI special agent, acting in an undercover capacity and posing as a 15-year-old, responded to the ad and asked Lira what kind of "stuff he was into." The two communicated by e-mail and text messaging, discussing sexual matters on several occasions. Lira advised he was into gay porn and preferred young males whom he referred to as "twinks." On Aug. 20, 2011, Lira texted an image of child pornography to the undercover special agent.

U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings also sentenced Lira to a 10-year period of supervised release after he completes his prison sentence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Sucsy of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Lubbock, Texas, prosecuted this case.

This investigation was part of Operation Predator, a nationwide HSI initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders and child sex traffickers.


HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators.

Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com.

You may also visit us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or access this news release on your mobile device.

New Mexico retired teacher arrested on federal child pornography charges

 

ALBUQUERQUE – A 72-year-old retired teacher residing in Raton, N.M., was arrested on Wednesday on a criminal complaint alleging that he distributed, received and possessed child pornography between Oct. 14, 2011 and April 4.

Joseph F. Zinkiewicz made his initial appearance Thursday in federal court in Albuquerque; he is scheduled for a preliminary hearing April 6. Zinkiewicz is temporarily detained pending a detention hearing which also is scheduled for Friday.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales, District of New Mexico, said that Zinkiewicz was arrested as the result of an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) that initially targeted a suspect in the District of Colorado.

According to the criminal complaint, an HSI special agent who was acting in an undercover capacity, communicated with the Colorado suspect and learned that the suspect was a member of a group that used e-mail accounts to distribute and receive child pornography. In November 2011, after the undercover special agent obtained a hard drive containing thousands of child pornography images and videos from the Colorado suspect, HSI obtained a search warrant for the e-mail account used by the Colorado suspect. HSI special agents identified the e-mail accounts of individuals, including Zinkiewicz, who allegedly shared child pornography with the Colorado suspect.

Beginning in January 2012 and continuing until March 5, 2012, the undercover special agent used the e-mail account belonging to the Colorado suspect to communicate with Zinkiewicz through his e-mail account.

During these communications, Zinkiewicz sent a series of e-mails to the undercover special agent that included child pornography images and videos.

On April 4, 2012, law enforcement officers executed a federal search warrant at Zinkiewicz's residence in Raton, N.M., and seized computers and computer-media in addition to photographs and DVDs that were identified as containing child pornography. Zinkiewicz was arrested while the search warrant was being executed.

If convicted of distributing or receiving child pornography, Zinkiewicz faces a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 40 years of imprisonment. If convicted of possessing child pornography, Zinkiewicz faces a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 20 years of imprisonment. Zinkiewicz also faces a lifetime of supervised release following any sentence of incarceration for a child pornography offense. Zinkiewicz faces these enhanced penalties because he previously had been convicted of a child pornography offense.

Zinkiewicz was convicted of distributing child pornography by the Superior Court of the State of New Jersey in January 2002.

The case was investigated by the HSI offices in Albuquerque, N.M., and Greeley, Colo., with assistance from the New Mexico State Police and the Fifth Judicial District Attorney's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charlyn E. Rees, District of New Mexico, is prosecuting this case.

This investigation was part of Operation Predator, a nationwide HSI initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders and child sex traffickers.

HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators.

Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 orhttp://www.cybertipline.com.

The case also was brought as part of the New Mexico Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force's (ICAC Task Force) mission to locate, track and capture Internet child sexual predators and Internet child pornographers in New Mexico. There are 61 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies associated with the ICAC Task Force.

You may also visit us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or access this news release on your mobile device.

Border Patrol And Customs And Border Protection Reports

El Centro Border Patrol Nabs Drug Smugglers

Imperial County, CA. – Earlier this week, U.S. Border Patrol agents from the El Centro Sector arrested a 56 and 54-year-old male attempting to smuggle marijuana through the Highway 111 and Highway 86 Checkpoints.

Containers used to hold illegal narcotics

The first incident occurred after Border Patrol agents assigned to the Indio station conducted a search of a tractor-trailer at the Highway 111 Checkpoint near Niland, Calif. During the search, agents discovered two sealed containers containing packages of marijuana. The marijuana weighed approximately 155 pounds and was given an estimated street value of $123,000.

The driver was arrested and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration along with the tractor-trailer and marijuana.

	155 pounds of marijuana seized by U.S. Border Patrol

That same day, Border Patrol agents at the Highway 86 Checkpoint near Westmorland, Calif. discovered 17 brick-like bundles of marijuana in an a hidden compartment inside a Isuzu SUV. The marijuana weighed approximately 33 pounds and was given an estimated value of $26,560. 

The driver was arrested and turned over to the Imperial County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Task Force.

CBP Officers Intercept Illicit Currency

Nogales, AZ. — Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to Tucson Field Office seized nearly $261,000 in unreported U.S. currency Tuesday from a woman headed for Mexico through the Dennis DeConcini Port.

CBP officers seized nearly $261,000 in unreported U.S. currency Tuesday from a woman headed for Mexico through the Dennis DeConcini Port.

Officers conducting outbound inspections selected a 40-year-old Mexican woman and her teen-age son for additional questioning, and a closer examination of their Buick sedan. When officers noticed someone had tampered with the gas tank, they decided to remove it for further inspection. Inside the tank, officers found 21 packages containing $260,640. 

The unreported funds and vehicle were processed for seizure. The woman was arrested and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. Her son was released to family members without further incident.

Since launching the Southwest Border Initiative in March 2009, unprecedented shifts in staffing and infrastructure at Arizona’s ports have improved the focus and intensity of operations. These shifts are resulting in more narcotics interceptions; while tougher outbound enforcement is yielding record interceptions of unreported currency, weapons and wanted felons.

Individuals arrested are charged with a criminal complaint, which raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. 

CBP's Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within Homeland Security tasked with an anti-terrorism mission at our nation’s ports. CBP officers screen all people, vehicles and goods entering the United States while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. Their mission also includes carrying out border-related duties, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration and trade laws, and protecting the nation's food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.

 CBP Officers make Two Large Marijuana Busts at New Mexico Ports

El Paso, TX – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers working at the Santa Teresa and Columbus ports of entry seized 1,124 pounds of marijuana in two seizures Thursday. The seizures capped off a busy enforcement week which netted area CBP officers more than 3,000 pounds of marijuana.

CBP officers working at the Columbus port of entry discovered 605 pounds of marijuana hidden in a variety of compartments in a vehicle that entered the port from Mexico on February 2, 2012.

“CBP officers are working hard and the results are impressive,” said Ana Hinojosa, Director of Field Operations in El Paso. “Every day they are making a positive contribution to our community by stopping drug smugglers, illegal immigrants, and other violators before they enter the country and cause harm.”

CBP officers at the Columbus port of entry seized 605 pounds of marijuana Thursday morning after a 1997 Dodge pickup truck entered the port from Mexico. CBP officers selected the vehicle for a secondary examination during which an x-ray scan revealed anomalies in the appearance of the vehicle. CBP officers.

	CBP officers working at the Columbus Port discovered 605 pounds of marijuana hidden in a variety of compartments in a vehicle that entered the port from Mexico on February 2, 2012.

continued their exam and spotted suspicious bundles inside the truck. CBP drug sniffing dog “Bingo” searched the vehicle and gave a positive alert for drugs. CBP officers removed 370 marijuana-filled bricks from the floor, quarter panels, back wall and bed of the truck.

CBP officers arrested the driver of the truck, 29-year-old Eliazar Parra Suarez of Nuevo Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico. He was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement HSI special agents to face federal charges including importation of a controlled substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

CBP officers at the Santa Teresa port of entry seized 519 pounds of marijuana Thursday afternoon after a 1991Kenworth semi-truck towing a flatbed trailer loaded with another flatbed trailer entered the port from Mexico. CBP officers selected the vehicle for a secondary examination during which an x-ray scan revealed anomalies in the appearance of the shipment. CBP drug sniffing dog “Murphy” searched the trailer and gave a positive alert for drugs. CBP officers drilled into the fifth-wheel area of the trailer and obtained a green leafy substance which tested positive for marijuana. CBP officers removed nine metal boxes from the secret compartment. The boxes contained 519 pounds of tightly compressed marijuana. No arrests were made.

A CBP officer working at the Santa Teresa port of entry process compressed marijuana removed from metal boxes that were hidden in a truck that entered the port from Mexico on February 2, 2012.

CBP officers working at area ports of entry made a total of 21 drug seizures during the week. The enforcement activity netted 3,085 pounds of marijuana in 19 busts and 14.7 pounds of cocaine in two additional seizures.

CBP officers working at area ports this week recorded 77 immigration violations. Intended immigrants made up a large group of the violators. A total of 44 were identified through thorough document exams. In these cases, individuals will use a legally issued border-crossing card (laser visa) to live or work in the U.S., which is not authorized. Violators generally lose their documents and are returned to Mexico. The balance of the immigration violations included false claims to citizenship, impostors, visa overstays, alien smugglers, counterfeit documents and people entering the country without proper inspection.

CBP officers working at area ports made 15 drug seizures during the week including 993 pounds of marijuana in 14 busts and less than one pound of heroin in one additional seizure.

CBP agriculture specialists working at area ports this week made nine seizures of prohibited food and agricultural items resulting in $2,075 in fines being assessed. Prohibited items seized included pork, bologna, pork tamales, chicharones, apples, guavas, and fresh eggs. These items are prohibited because they pose a threat of illness or disease to people, livestock or the agriculture industry.

CBP officers working at area ports also identified 15 people who were fugitives or otherwise being sought by law enforcement agencies. They also recorded three export violations, one currency seizure, and a live birds seizure. While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in impressive numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.

 'Coyote' Found Guilty of SmugglingSentencing Scheduled for April 2012

Tucson, Ariz. – A 26-year-old Mexican national was convicted in U.S. District Court Wednesday on three counts of smuggling aliens for private financial gain.

In November 2011, Casa Grande Border Patrol agents discovered several footprints after responding to detection technology while patrolling in the west desert. Agents tracked the footprints for several miles before encountering a group of individuals who had entered the United States illegally. All subjects were apprehended and transported to Casa Grande Station for processing. 

During processing, agents identified one of the subjects, Berlain Galvez-Lopez, aka “El Chato,” as the foot guide, or “coyote.” A records check also revealed Galvez-Lopez had two prior immigration removals. After initial processing, the Tucson Sector’s Prosecution Unit submitted the case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 

Galvez-Lopez’s sentencing is set for April 12. CBP is committed to ensuring that smugglers are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. 

CBP welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling (877) 872-7435 toll free.

 CBP Officers in Douglas Nab Sex Offender

Douglas, AZ. — Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to the Tucson Field Office apprehended an imposter yesterday who also turned out to be a convicted and registered sex offender from Florida.

A 31-year-old Mexican national attempted to enter the United States through a pedestrian lane at the Douglas Port, but when the man presented his documents, officers suspected he was an imposter and referred him for additional questioning.

A routine records check revealed the subject’s true identity as an individual who had previously been deported following a conviction for Lewd and Lascivious Battery for which he served a two-year prison sentence in Clearwater, Fla. The subject was immediately taken into custody, processed, and is currently being detained pending prosecution.

Individuals arrested are charged with a criminal complaint, which raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. 

CBP's Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within Homeland Security tasked with an anti-terrorism mission at our nation’s ports. CBP officers screen all people, vehicles and goods entering the United States while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. Their mission also includes carrying out border-related duties, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration and trade laws, and protecting the nation's food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.

Border Patrol And CBP Activities

Sexual Predator Sentenced to 37 Months in PrisonBanned for Life

Tucson, Ariz. – A 37-year-old man from Guatemala City, Guatemala, apprehended by Nogales Station Border Patrol agents in April 2011, was sentenced Jan. 23 to 37 months of confinement. 

Elias Natanael Santos-Milian

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted Elias Natanael Santos-Milian following his April apprehension for attempting to illegally re-enter the United States. During processing at the Nogales Station, agents used the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System to learn that Santos-Milian was convicted in 2010 in Los Angeles for sexual battery. He was sentenced to one year in jail.

Following the Border Patrol’s initial processing, the case was submitted to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for re-entry of a felon. Santos-Milian will be formally removed from the U.S. following his 37-month incarceration and is now banned for life from all legalization processes.

All illegal immigrants apprehended by the Border Patrol undergo criminal history checks using IAFIS. This vital tool accesses criminal records throughout the United States, thereby enabling agents to quickly identify violent criminals and wanted persons. 

Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity and remain anonymous by calling the Border Patrol at (877) 872-7435 toll free.

 San Luis CBP Officers Seize MethamphetamineDrugs valued at nearly $346,000

San Luis, Ariz. — Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to the Tucson Field Office seized more than 22 pounds of methamphetamine worth nearly $346,000 at the San Luis Port Wednesday.

A 45-year-old female Mexican national attempting to enter the United States was selected for a secondary inspection of her Pontiac sedan. After a detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs, officers located 20 packages of methamphetamine from a non-factory compartment in the dash. The drugs and vehicle were processed for seizure. The woman was arrested and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. 

Individuals arrested are charged with a criminal complaint, which raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. 

CBP's Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within Homeland Security tasked with an anti-terrorism mission at our nation’s ports. CBP officers screen all people, vehicles and goods entering the United States while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. Their mission also includes carrying out border-related duties, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration and trade laws, and protecting the nation's food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.

 Federal, State & Local Agencies Participate in OperationSignificant Seizure of Narcotics & Weapons

Tucson, Ariz. – A multi-agency operation, dubbed Operation Silverbell, resulted in the arrest of nine suspects and the seizure of an AK-47 assault rifle and 498 pounds of marijuana Wednesday night near Interstate 8 in Stanfield, Ariz.

Joint Operations in southern Arizona result in drug & weapon seizure

At approximately 10 p.m., federal, state and local agencies jointly denied smugglers the ability to deliver narcotics to their designated location. The operation, led by the Bureau of Land Management, included Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operation (ERO), the Arizona Department of Public Safety; Tucson Sector’s Border Patrol; Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Air and Marine; and the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.

“The Alliance to Combat Transnational Threats is a great initiative. It brings together all the right players and unites them working towards a common goal,” stated Jon Young, State Chief Ranger – Arizona.

The operation, which involved the use of detection equipment and air assets, illustrated unprecedented levels of cooperation, coordination and communication between agencies to deny, degrade, disrupt and dismantle smuggling organizations. The Border Patrol is committed to working with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to keep our communities safe.

 Nogales CBP Officers Seize 14 Pounds of Meth

Nogales, Ariz. — Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to the Tucson Field Office seized more than 14 pounds of methamphetamine Thursday, valued at nearly $224,000.

Methamphetamine seized by CBP officers at Nogales Port.

Officers working at the Dennis DeConcini Port referred a 30-year-old Mexican national for a secondary inspection of his Ford SUV when he attempted to enter the United States. After a CBP narcotics detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs, officers located 10 packages of methamphetamine in non-factory compartments in both of the front quarter panels. The drugs and vehicle were processed for seizure. The subject was arrested and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. 

Individuals arrested are charged with a criminal complaint, which raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. 

CBP's Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within Homeland Security tasked with an anti-terrorism mission at our nation’s ports. CBP officers screen all people, vehicles and goods entering the United States while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. Their mission also includes carrying out border-related duties, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration and trade laws, and protecting the nation's food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.

 Agents Seize Nearly $700,000 in NarcoticsSeizures include brown heroin

Tucson, Ariz. – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents seized marijuana and heroin Wednesday with a combined value of nearly $700,000.

Ajo Station agents working in the west desert responded to a report of possible narcotics trafficking and discovered 25 backpacks full of marijuana concealed under rocks.

Nogales Station agents assigned to the Interstate 19 checkpoint, conducting a transportation check on a passenger shuttle, questioned a male Mexican national wearing a backpack beneath his jacket. An inspection of the backpack revealed small packages wrapped in black tape, which turned out to be more than six pounds of brown heroin worth an estimated $82,000. The man and narcotics were transported to the Nogales Station for further processing. The Nogales, Sonora native now faces possible federal charges. 

Meanwhile, agents assigned to Ajo’s Field Training Unit were conducting training operations in the vicinity of the Village of Gu Vo in the west desert when they responded to possible narcotics trafficking and discovered 25 backpacks of marijuana concealed under rocks. The marijuana had a combined weight of 1,195 pounds and an estimated value of $597,500. Agents transported the narcotics to the Ajo Station for processing. 

Transnational criminal organizations are using various methods to transport narcotics into our communities. The Tucson Sector Border Patrol, however, is committed to disrupting their attempts. 

Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling (877) 872-7435 toll free.

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.

Border Patrol Activity

U.S. Border Patrol Agents Seize nearly $838K of Cocaine, Meth, and Marijuana from Multiple Smuggling Attempts throughout San Diego County

San Diego — U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Interstate 8 checkpoint near Pine Valley, prevented a narcotics smuggling attempt yesterday resulting in the seizure of 53.02 pounds of cocaine and 10.14 pounds of methamphetamine worth an estimated $733,000.

Border Patrol agents discovered a non-factory compartment in a vehicle’s gas tank at the I-8 checkpoint.

At approximately 4:50 p.m., agents encountered the 22-year-old male United States citizen driver of a gold 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada, and his 23-year-old female United States citizen passenger, as they arrived to the checkpoint. During inspection, agents became suspicious of the occupants’ nervous demeanor and referred them for a secondary inspection.

A Border Patrol K-9 team performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle resulting in a positive alert. Agents searched the vehicle and discovered a non-factory compartment in the gas tank which contained 21 bundles of cocaine worth an estimated $530,200, and seven bundles of methamphetamine worth an estimated $202,800. The two suspected smugglers and illicit narcotics were taken into custody and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

	Agents seized a total of $733,000 worth of cocaine and methamphetamine.

Since Monday morning, Border Patrol agents assigned to the Interstate 5 and Interstate 15 checkpoints have made three additional seizures that included marijuana and methamphetamine, resulting in the arrests of three suspected smugglers. The total estimated street value of the three seizures was $104,995. The four vehicles involved in the smuggling incidents were seized by the U.S. Border Patrol. 

Agents stopped a vehicle along the Interstate 5 and discovered numerous bundles of marijuana concealed inside one of the tires.

To prevent illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on major corridors of egress away from our nation’s borders. To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.

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.

Yuma Border Patrol Agents Seize Abandoned Go-Kart Loaded with Marijuana

Yuma, Ariz. – U.S. Border Patrol agents from Yuma Sector seized an abandoned go-kart loaded with approximately 217 pounds of marijuana Tuesday night.

Agents assigned to Yuma Station and officers from the Cocopah Tribal Police Department were patrolling the border near County 17th Street when they discovered a go-kart attempting to leave the area. Upon detection, the go-kart turned around and headed back toward the border. Agents and officers followed the go-kart and found it abandoned.

	Agents from Yuma Sector seized an abandoned go-kart loaded with approximately 217 pounds of marijuana Tuesday.

The go-kart and marijuana, worth an estimated $108,600, were turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The Border Patrol has made significant progress toward combating transnational criminal organizations by impacting their ability to transport contraband throughout the United States and ensuring smugglers face stiff federal penalties for their actions. 

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.

Three Mexican Nationals Arrested Following Interdiction of Drug Smuggling Boat in Los Angeles CountyVessel carried nearly $1.3 million worth of marijuana

Malibu, Calif. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and agents arrested three men early Saturday morning following the seizure of a Mexican panga-style boat and more than one and a quarter tons of marijuana along the Malibu coast.

CBP reported the arrests of three men early Saturday morning following the seizure of a Mexican panga-style boat loaded with marijuana.

California National Guardsmen, working in support of CBP coastal operations, initially spotted the vessel offshore and relayed the information to law enforcement officers in the area. CBP officers and agents, and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies responded to Point Dume State Beach shortly after midnight, where they discovered the boat and numerous bales of marijuana totaling 2,575 pounds with an estimated street value of $1,287,500.

The three men, who had illegally entered the United States on board the boat, were taken into custody and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation.

In addition to CBP, the U.S. Coast Guard, HSI, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and several other law enforcement agencies assisted with Saturday morning’s enforcement action.

As the Department of Homeland Security has increased coastal border security in Southern California, transnational criminal organizations have shifted their smuggling tactics farther north into Los Angeles and Ventura counties. As a result, CBP and its partners have intensified efforts to target the illegal activity, expanding the use of marine patrols, land-based surveillance, and collaboration with the Government of Mexico.

Those efforts are being overseen by the Department of Homeland Security’s recently established Los Angeles/Long Beach Regional Coordination Mechanism. The group is comprised of ICE HSI, CBP’s Office of Air and Marine, Office of Field Operations, and U.S. Border Patrol; the U.S. Coast Guard; and several state and local law enforcement agencies, including the sheriff’s offices of Orange and Los Angeles counties; and the Los Angeles Police Department. The California National Guard also provides numerous entry identification teams along Southern and Central California’s coastal borders in support of the maritime border security mission.

In fiscal year 2011, the Los Angeles/Long Beach Regional Coordination Mechanism recorded a total of 26 maritime smuggling incidents in the greater Los Angeles area, including seven in Ventura County. To date in fiscal year 2012, there have been 14 such incidents in the Southland, including three in Ventura County and one in Santa Barbara County.

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.