First arrest made since U.S.-Mexico collaboration campaign launch
Andrea Turisk
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A major arrest just one day after the launch of the Se Busca Información campaign.
It’s a cross border effort between U.S. and Mexican authorities to track down wanted fugitives.
The campaign had barely started when someone came forward with crucial information. U.S. border patrol says they got a tip the next day, leading to the arrest of Mariana Fernandez, a San Diego native and a high-priority target.
The campaign was announced and the community answered just one day after Border Patrol launched the ‘Se Busca Información’ campaign an anonymous tip came in.
“We provided that information to AMIC, Mexico’s criminal investigations agency and they were able to locate and arrest Fernandez Lopez. They brought her to the San Luis port of entry where she was turned over to U.S. Authorities,” said Chief Justin De La Torre with the Yuma Sector Border Patrol.
Chief De La Torre says Mariana Fernandez has a prior arrest for narcotic smuggling and a probation violation.
Criminal defense attorney Ilan Katz says collaboration efforts between the U.S. and Mexico isn’t new but there has been a up step between the Trump and Sheinbaum administrations in bilateral cooperation.
“Mexico has a very important motivation to work with the states in migration as well as in the drug war in getting rid of fentanyl and drug traffickers in general,” said Katz.
The Se Busca Información initiative is designed to target individuals connected to criminal organizations. De La Torre says the fast arrest shows the program is working.
“We use multiple investigative tactics to identify people who are involved in cross border organized crime who are associated with the cartel who are creating a dangerous environment for all of us here in this region. This is one method that we believe works to help bring people to justice,” De La Torre explained.
Border Patrol says the campaign is still active and tips can still be sent in via phone or text.