WASHINGTON, D.C. – Two U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Air and Marine Operations (AMO) off-duty agents protected the public in two separate events in Northern Virginia on September 14, 2023.
Last Thursday morning while commuting into work in the Manassas, Virginia area, a Marine Interdiction Agent assigned to Manassas Air Branch was involved in a 7-car accident. Immediately following the accident, the agent activated the emergency/hazard lights and contacted 911 dispatch to pass event details and location. Following the call, the agent began checking other vehicle occupants for injury.
While approaching one vehicle that appeared to have suffered more damage than others, the agent noticed multiple interior airbags had been deployed. The agent approached the driver side where he discovered the injured driver. The driver indicated she had pain in her shoulder and right leg, which she was unable to move. The AMO agent chose to move the driver to another vehicle because of the smoke in the environment, and because the driver was near westbound commuter traffic.
The agent remained with the injured woman until Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrived. EMS, Virginia State Patrol, Fire and Rescue, and Traffic Safety arrived shortly afterward to address the scene. EMS transported the driver from the accident site for evaluation and treatment.
“Our agents are always prepared to respond to emergency situations like this,” stated Sean Driscoll, Deputy Director, Manassas Air Branch. “It was unfortunate that one of our agents was also involved in the multi-car accident. But, we are glad that he is not only O.K., but that he was able to help an injured person to safety.”
Later that same day, a Marine Interdiction Agent who works within AMO’s Safety and Risk Management Division worked with local police to stop a knife-wielding man from fleeing at the Fairfax Metro Bus Shelter. During the agent’s commute home from work, the agent observed a male aggressively engage in conversation with a younger male seated within the covered bus shelter. The agent overheard the young man state that he had no money to give.
The AMO agent contacted Fairfax Police upon observing the aggressor had opened a folding knife and was making threatening gestures toward the young male with the knife. The AMO agent worked with the arriving Fairfax Police Unit and responded to stop the man who attempted to flee. The man was taken into custody of Fairfax Police without incident.
“Our agents are always on the clock,” stated Rafael Cabrera, Director of AMO Requirements. “Their dedication to protecting others extends beyond their official workday. We are proud of our agent’s actions and quick response with our local police partners.”
In Fiscal Year 2022, AMO enforcement actions resulted in 967 arrests and 134,981 apprehensions of undocumented individuals, as well as the seizure or disruption of 250,616 pounds of cocaine, 1,475 pounds of fentanyl, 25,625 pounds of methamphetamine, 1,342 weapons, and $21.7 million.
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