Yuma border agents locate 2 dead Mexican nationals, apprehend another

PHOENIX — Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents from the Wellton Station on July 5 found two dead Mexican nationals and apprehended another who had illegally made their way into the U.S.

Agents had tracked the group of three through a remote area of the desert and apprehended the group’s lone survivor around 5 a.m. south of Wellton, according to a press release.

Agents continued their search after the 50-year-old Mexican national informed them that a smuggler had left behind the other two members of his group.

Around 6:50 a.m., agents located another member of the party deceased with no identification in the Copper Mountains area.

Border agents then requested additional assistance from the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office in order to find the remaining subject, and was aided by the Yuma Sector’s Search, Trauma and Rescue Unit.

Agents found clothing, food and a cell phone belonging to the third member of the group around 12:20 p.m. before finding “HELP” written on the ground of the wash along with an arrow pointing north.

Finally, an Air and Marine Operations Yuma Air Branch EC120 helicopter discovered the third subject deceased at approximately 5:20 p.m.

“This loss of life is another sobering reminder of the dangers associated with illegally crossing our border, especially as the desert experiences extreme temperatures,” Wellton Station Deputy Patrol Agent in Charge Joseph Remenar said in the release.

“Transnational criminal organizations continue to prioritize profit over human life, even as the men and women of the Wellton Station work tirelessly to prevent these unfortunate deaths.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection have encouraged residents to report suspicious border-related activity by calling: (877) 872-7435.

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