09/02/2009

Law Enforcement Partnership Breaks Up Smuggling Operation in Douglas

Tucson, Ariz. - U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Douglas Station, working in conjunction with the Douglas Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement under “Operation Stonegarden,” yesterday confirmed intelligence information on a stash house in Douglas.

Agents and officers arrived at the residence and discovered 43 individuals concealing themselves within the home. All the occupants were determined to be illegally in the United States. While securing the residence, agents detected the odor of propane gas and immediately moved the group on illegal aliens to a safe distance from the house and notified the Douglas Fire Department.


DFD responded and removed a propane tank. Following safety protocols after the removal of the propane tank, they conducted air tests and discovered a high concentration of ammonia. The unusually high concentration was attributed to the unsanitary conditions in the house.


All subjects were arrested and taken to the Douglas Border Patrol Station for further processing.


Operation Stonegarden is a federally funded program that enhances cooperation between the U.S. Border Patrol and other federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. This year, Operation Stonegarden is providing $9,850,000 to 23 agencies in Southern Arizona that will help finance individual missions in support of Homeland Security’s border security mission.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/09012009_3.xml