San Diego Border Patrol Reports Rise In Firearms Seizures

SAN DIEGO — U.S. Border Patrol agents recovered two firearms during two separate incidents this week.

“We have seen an increase in armed encounters,” said San Diego Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke. “In 2022, our agents seized more than 60 firearms, an increase of almost 50 percent when compared to 2021.”

Heitke said agents never know who they will encounter as they patrol the border.

“Our agents are the first line of defense against smugglers who have become more aggressive and brazen in their attempts to bring people and narcotics into our country,” Heitke said.

The first incident occurred at about 12:30 p.m., Jan. 9 when a 17-year-old male in a dark-colored Chevy pickup truck was referred for an additional inspection at the Interstate 8 checkpoint in Pine Valley, according to a news release issued by the agency.

According to that release, agents questioned the driver and later searched the vehicle. During their search, agents found a loaded 9MM P80 handgun without a serial number and a 30-round magazine inside a handbag. The driver, firearm, magazine, and ammunition were turned over to the San Diego County Sherriff’s Office.

The second seizure occurred one day later at about 12:13 p.m., when contractors, who were repairing damage to the border infrastructure near Imperial Beach, discovered a loaded 9mm semiautomatic pistol north of the primary border fence, the agency said.

The seizures occurred less than a week after an El Paso Border Patrol agent assigned to the Lordsburg, New Mexico Station was shot by an armed smuggler during a vehicle stop," the news release said. "The agent in this incident survived the encounter due to his body armor. The suspect was later arrested after a short pursuit ensued."

To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.