Ten fugitives targeted by U.S., Sonoran law enforcement collaboration

NOGALES, Arizona — U.S. and Sonoran officials are asking for the public’s help in tracking down 10 criminal targets, including five U.S. citizens, who are fugitives in Mexico associated with binational criminal groups.

“This is a collaborative effort, combining input from the public along with the hard work and dedication of many in law enforcement,” John Modlin, chief of the Border Patrol’s Tucson sector, said at the Thursday event, held at the Mariposa port of entry. “Together, promoting public awareness and removing these violent and dangerous individuals from the community will ultimately increase public safety in our region.”

The fugitives — believed to be in northern Mexico, but not necessarily in the Nogales area — have been charged with crimes including homicide, human and narcotics trafficking, kidnapping and distribution of child pornography, said Francisco Burrola, special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations in Arizona.

“As you can see, these people pose a significant risk or threat to our communities, both here in the United States and in Mexico,” Burrola said. “With the media and the public’s help, let’s find these fugitives and bring them to justice.”

The 10 wanted individuals are the latest set of criminal targets in CBP and its partners’ ongoing public awareness campaign, dubbed “Se Busca Información,” or “Seeking Information.”

Posters and billboards depicting the 10 men will be on display in high-visibility areas in the border region, Modlin said. In southern Arizona, expect to see posters at Border Patrol stations, checkpoints and at ports of entry.

Members of the public can share tips anonymously with law enforcement by calling, texting or sending a WhatsApp message to 520-310-5914, or emailing SeBuscaTips@cbp.dhs.gov, officials said.

“We’re putting a lot of effort into this, and we are because we know it’s worked before,” Modlin said after the press event.

Burrola highlighted the case of U.S. citizen Miguel Antonio Urbalejo, arrested in 2021 in Nogales, Arizona for attempting to smuggle 5 pounds of cocaine into Arizona, concealed in his vehicle’s oil pan. He didn’t immediately have details on how Urbalejo escaped prosecution after his arrest, but speculated he was released with a court date and failed to show up to his trial.

Sonoran security officials crossed the border for Thursday’s press event, where they praised the bi-national collaboration and emphasized the commitment of Sonoran state leaders, including Gov. Alfonso Durazo, to working with U.S. counterparts to reduce crime.

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In 2020, Durazo left his role as Mexico’s security secretary to launch his successful bid for governor.

“I’m a faithful believer that research and intelligence are the basic tools that will lead to solving the problems that we’re facing,” Victor Hugo Enriquez García, Sonoran secretary of public safety, said in Spanish at the event. “But not only that, we also need the collaboration of society and private initiatives. I believe that we can all contribute and we can all be part of the solution to the problem.”

Cross-border collaboration is now a necessity to combat trafficking, said Sonoran Attorney General Gustavo Salas at Thursday’s event.

“Today, the fight against traffickers requires greater efforts and strategies, but fundamentally the support, collaboration and mutual trust between the agencies responsible for enforcing the law,” Salas said in Spanish. “The show of force presented here is a demonstration of the interest and responsibility that exists on the border of Sonora and Arizona. ... We are with you, in everything we can do to help.”

Historically criminals have exploited a lack of communication between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement, fleeing across the border — either to Mexico, or to the U.S. — to escape justice, but that’s changing, said Manuel Padilla, senior advisor to CBP Commissioner Troy Miller.

“Criminal organizations used the border in order to operate with impunity,” he said. “That is no longer the case. There is a very close relationship with our Mexican partners, both at the state and the federal level, and that’s what makes us a lot stronger in going after these common criminals.”