Deming Police and Border Patrol Apprehend Semi with 28 People
DEMING – In a coordinated effort under the Stonegarden grant, the Deming Police Department and Border Patrol apprehended a Freightliner semi-truck with a trailer on State Highway 26 at mile marker 7. The semi, traveling northbound, was intercepted after a BOLO (Be On the Lookout) alert issued by the Border Patrol at 10:00 PM. Approximately 30 minutes later, Deming Police officers, operating under Operation Stonegarden, located and stopped the vehicle.
Upon inspection, officers discovered 28 individuals inside the tractor-trailer, including five juveniles. The minors were identified as a 5-year-old male, a 12-year-old female, a 15-year-old female, a 17-year-old female, and a 17-year-old male. The trailer was extremely hot and had poor ventilation, creating hazardous conditions for the occupants.
The 5-year-old boy, traveling with his mother, required medical assistance due to the heat and lack of ventilation. Deming Fire and Rescue provided immediate care on the scene, and after being stabilized, both were cleared and handed back to Border Patrol for further processing.
The driver of the semi, identified as Yoanda Ruiz-Valencia, age 44, from Miami, Florida, was taken into custody by Border Patrol agents. The remaining migrants were also taken into custody and transported for processing.
The Stonegarden grant facilitates enhanced cooperation between local law enforcement and federal agencies to secure the border and enhance public safety. This incident underscores the ongoing efforts to combat human smuggling and protect vulnerable individuals from dangerous situations. The swift and coordinated response by the Deming Police Department and the Border Patrol highlights the effectiveness of joint operations in addressing complex security challenges in the region.
This case exemplifies the critical importance of interagency collaboration in maintaining border security and ensuring the safety of individuals subjected to human smuggling operations. The apprehension of Ruiz-Valencia and the safe recovery of the migrants is a testament to the vigilance and dedication of law enforcement officers working under the Stonegarden initiative.