OCOTILLO, Calif. – U.S. Border Patrol agents from El Centro Sector rescued two undocumented individuals in the Jacumba Wilderness region near Ocotillo, in two separate events.
The first rescue was initiated at approximately 3:25 p.m., Friday, when Sector Dispatch notified El Centro Station regarding a lost individual with a little water, no food, seeking assistance. Agents were notified of the distress call and responded to the last known GPS coordinates provided. At approximately 3:45 p.m., agents located the individual, three miles north of the U.S./Mexico border.
The second rescue was dispatched at approximately 5:26 p.m., Sunday, when Sector Dispatch notified El Centro Station regarding a lost subject who claimed to have cut to his eye, an injured arm, and may need assistance. Agents were notified of the distress call and responded to the last known GPS coordinates of the individual. At approximately 5:46 a.m., agents successfully located the lost male individual, three miles north of the U.S./Mexico border.
After a wellness check of both individuals, it was determined no medical assistance was needed, and it was verified that they did not possess the required documents to be present in the United States legally.
The two individuals, both Mexican nationals, were taken into custody and transported to the El Centro Sector Processing Center for an additional medical evaluation and to be processed accordingly.
Since October, El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents have successfully rescued 101 individuals who were lost, in distress, or abandoned by smugglers.