Operation Magnolia results in apprehension of 48 illegal aliens

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Border Patrol’s New Orleans Sector conducted targeted enforcement operations with Homeland Security Investigations and local law enforcement partners under Operation Magnolia to identify, apprehend, and prosecute illegal aliens traveling across the Interstate-10 corridor in Mississippi.

“If you attempt to smuggle narcotics, contraband, or illegal aliens through Alabama, Mississippi, or Louisiana, you will be caught, prosecuted, and put in jail” said Adam Calderson, New Orleans Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent. “The U.S. Border Patrol is committed to enforcing our nation’s laws.”

This highway interdiction operation during the last week of April, resulted in the apprehension of 48 illegal aliens from Mexico, Nicaragua, Kazakhstan, Honduras, Colombia, and Guatemala and three U.S. citizens charged with various federal charges.

All illegal aliens were processed for removal from the U.S., eight subjects will be prosecuted for re-entry after deportation (8 USC 1326), and one illegal alien charged with attempting to use false documents 18 USC 1546(a).  Further, the operation resulted in seizing $104,000.00 in U.S. currency, multiple firearms and magazines, and other illegal contraband.