U.S. Border Patrol, Tijuana police cooperation leads to arrests following laser incident at border

SAN DIEGO - Close coordination between U.S. Border Patrol agents and the Tijuana Police Department resulted in Mexican authorities taking multiple individuals into custody after someone directed a laser at Border Patrol agents along the international boundary.

On Oct. 19, at 11:35 p.m., a Border Patrol agent assigned to the San Diego Sector reported being illuminated by a green laser originating from Mexico. A responding Border Patrol supervisor was also targeted. Agents identified a vehicle associated with the incident and coordinated with Mexican law enforcement authorities to locate it.

Tijuana Police Department officers located and stopped the vehicle at 6:36 a.m. on Oct. 20. Officers took multiple individuals into custody and recovered a laser device after determining the vehicle was stolen. Mexican authorities indicated the individuals would be presented before a civic judge for review under Mexican law.

"When someone endangers a law enforcement officer at the border, the international boundary should not be a shield from accountability," said San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Justin De La Torre. "Our partners in Tijuana acted quickly, demonstrating that protecting law enforcement personnel is a shared responsibility. This cooperation also strengthens our efforts to prevent dangerous border crossings that threaten the communities we serve."

Directing lasers toward law enforcement personnel can significantly impair vision and create serious safety hazards. The incident underscores the importance of timely information sharing and coordinated enforcement efforts to address threats originating on either side of the international boundary.

U.S. Border Patrol remains committed to working closely with Mexican law enforcement partners to protect personnel, promote public safety and discourage unlawful border crossings that expose individuals to potentially life-threatening conditions.

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

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 70,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air and on the seas. We enforce safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration and trust.

• Topics
• Accountability and Transparency
• Arrests
• U.S. Border Patrol