Video: Border Patrol dismantles cartel scouting site in Arizona

Ashley N. Soriano

8 months ago

A new mural has been added to a building inside the Border Patrol Station in Presidio, Texas, which features silhouettes of various scenes typical across the Big Bend Sector and is shown May 6, 2021. The mural was applied by a team of employee volunteers who donated their time and talents to the beautification project. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection photo by Greg L. Davis)

(NewsNation) — United States Border Patrol’s Tucson Sector “destroyed” a scouting site in southern Arizona believed to belong to cartel members, the agency posted to X Thursday.

Video shows a Border Patrol helicopter hovering over the mountainous area, which served as a surveillance base for smuggling operations west of Ajo, Arizona, about 120 miles from Phoenix, officials said.

On Thursday, agents dismantled the base and arrested two men previously deported from Mexico.

The social media video also shows trash, used socks, blankets and other debris sprawled on the ground.

Both men face smuggling, conspiracy and immigration charges. Border Patrol Tucson Sector and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are investigating.