Agents with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection found a cloned or fake Border Patrol van during a stop in Arizona earlier this week.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency said the van was painted to look like one of its vehicles.
A driver and 11 people believed to be immigrants lacking permanent legal status were taken into custody near Newfield, which is seven miles southeast of San Miguel.
An agent was assaulted during the incident, but officials did not say how serious it was.
The use of fake Border Patrol vehicles is not new.
In October 2023, officials in Florida warned about a vehicle that was impersonating law enforcement.
The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office said a white Chevy Silverado truck equipped with red and blue flashing lights with green decals was spotted multiple times in the area. The truck mimicked the look of a Border Patrol vehicle, but the words “Booty Patrol” were shown instead.
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Additionally, agents in the Tucson sector arrested suspects in August 2021 who were using fake uniforms and a vehicle. A driver and 10 immigrants lacking permanent legal status were taken into custody in connection to that incident.
source: wbko.com/12-people-arrested-after-fake-border-patrol-vehicle
