TUCSON – An illegal alien is in custody and his ultralight aircraft was seized after agents from Tucson Sector Border Patrol and Air and Marine Operations disrupted his smuggling operation.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Air and Marine Operations AMO personnel operating surveillance equipment detected an unknown aircraft just north of the international border. AMO helicopter crews deployed to search for the aircraft, while Border Patrol agents on the ground followed the aircraft’s path.
CBP agents tracked and followed the aircraft until it made an improvised landing along State Route 82 near Kino Springs. When Border Patrol agents reached the location of the aircraft, it appeared damaged from the landing, and abandoned the 39-year-old Mexican National pilot, who was illegally present in the country.
Agents found the pilot hiding in a nearby wash.
According to CBP, this is the second ultralight seized by CBP in the last year. On May 23, a similar aircraft with nearly 150 lbs. of synthetics narcotics was found in a similar smuggling event, however no arrests were made in connection to that seizure.