Border agents apprehended a 16-year-old boy who used a remote-controlled car to transport methamphetamine across the border.
Credit: @naijnews / Twitter
On Nov. 17, at about 12:30 a.m., agents noticed a person with two duffel bags. U.S. Customs and Border Protection reports that agents followed the individual and discovered that he was a teenager and was also in possession of meth and a remote-controlled car. But how much can a toy car carry anyway? It is tiny, after all.
Agents reportedly detained 50 packages of methamphetamine or about 55.84 pounds of meth that has an estimated street value of $106,096.
Credit: @kamrlocal4news / Twitter
It wasn’t that long ago that tunnels were discovered at the U.S.-Mexico border and were believed to be used for drug trafficking into the U.S. The arrest by CBP shows the extent and complexity of which drugs are getting across the U.S.-Mexico border. The teenager was able to fit the drug on the remote control car because he had altered the car by removing the top. The drugs fit on the undercarriage of the car to be transported in and out of the U.S. and Mexico on what looks more like a remote control skateboard.
It’s hard to think that this teenage boy was acting alone on either side of the border. His identity has not been revealed since he is underage.
Credit: @hmuller61 / Twitter
The teen was arrested in San Diego, so someone was clearly on one side bringing the meth to the toy car while the boy waited on the other side. But the report doesn’t specify if the kid was transporting the meth to Mexico or bringing meth into the U.S.
San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Douglas Harrison stated, “I am extremely proud of the agents’ heightened vigilance and hard work in stopping this unusual smuggling scheme.”
People on social media gave the kid props for using his clever skills of using a remote-controlled car.
Others chastised the kid for not thinking things through all the way. “Well, he got caught so he’s not that smart.” Others pointed out the inventive way this kid beat the so-called wall system that President Donald Trump wants to implement, “But isn’t the wall stopping all the drugs coming in!!”
This is not the first time border agents have detained people of transporting drugs through inventive means.
Credit: @GinaAHarkins / Twitter
In 2017, another San Diego male, this time a 25-year-old used a drone to transport several pounds of methamphetamine across the border. According to a press release by CBP Public Affairs, “An agent on an all-terrain vehicle spotted a male suspect at about 11:40 p.m. near the border at Servano Avenue and Valentino Street. The agent approached the man and discovered that he possessed a large open bag that had multiple plastic-wrapped packages containing methamphetamine. After the agent arrested the man, a search of the immediate area was conducted, leading to the discovery of a drone that was concealed under a bush. The drone was approximately two feet in height.”
In that drug bust, the amount the smuggler was caught with 13.44 pounds, which has an estimated street value of $46,000. So that’s only a fraction of what the teen boy had obtained.
While some may speculate this issue is proof that the United States needs a stronger border, people will find ways to transport drugs. Until both the U.S. and the Mexico governments address that their drug problem is everyone’s problem none of these issues will ever end.
Mexico is taking measures to protect its citizens from the rapidly spreading COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S. Parts of the Mexico-U.S. border was closed in Arizona by Mexican authorities in response to the Trump administration’s response to COVID-19.
It started when the state of Sonora toughened border restrictions as Arizona’s COVID-19 number skyrocketed.
Forget @realDonaldTrump’s Border Wall, #Mexico closes US border in Arizona to stop American visitors, citing #COVID19 fears. A good portion of Trump’s candidacy has been about keeping Mexicans out; now his #coronavirus mismanagement has us unwelcomed! https://t.co/uPMOWVa43C
Arizona is facing one of the toughest COVID-19 surges in the country. Numbers are spiking across the U.S. following the rapid, and in some states sudden, reopenings. Florida, Texas, California, and Arizona are all reporting numbers that have health experts concerned about the outlook of the U.S.’s ability to control the virus.
“We are all going to be on alert at this time to prevent them from coming, whether they are Mexicans living in the U.S., Americans or those who want to come to spend the weekend and put a greater burden on us regarding COVID,” Sonora Gov. Claudia Pavlovich told the Arizona Daily Star.
Some Mexican citizens took it upon themselves to block Americans from entering their country.
Local residents in Northern Mexico blockade USA border to prevent tourists entering from virus-ravaged Arizona amid local tensions between resorts & towns with more conventional economic bases https://t.co/7CheV9kckJ Who's building the wall now?
Mexican residents along the Arizona border created makeshift blockades to keep Americans from flooding popular beach destinations. Mexican citizens used their cars and other objects to block Americans as the state governments backed their actions.
“We invite US tourists not to visit Mexico,” Sonoyta’s mayor, José Ramos Arzate, said in a statement. “We agreed on this to safeguard the health of our community in the face of an accelerated rate of Covid-19 contagion in the neighboring state of Arizona.”
Sonoyta is a U.S.-Mexico border town with roads that lead to Puerto Peñasco, a beach town on the Sea of Cortés. Mexicans are fighting to protect their own health as the U.S. continues to let the COVID-19 crisis get worse.
The United States has been setting daily records as COVID-19 infections continue to spread out of control. Health experts are warning that the U.S. is still in the first wave of the virus since the first wave never ended. The lack of containment has led to countries banning American tourists because the virus is still not under control.
There are things we can do to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Health experts suggest wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, and being diligent about hygiene to slow the spread of the virus. Stay safe and stay healthy.
Minneapolis has been rocked by civil unrest following the death of George Floyd. A viral video shows a police officer kneeling on Floyd’s neck while Floyd begged for help. During the unrest, a CNN journalist was arrested on live TV and people were stunned.
Here is the moment that CNN reporter Omar Jimenez was arrested by Minnesota State Police.
I’m in shock watching the arrest of CNN reporter #OmarJimenez on live TV
The arrest stunned audience members who watched the Minnesota State Police approach Jimenez during a live shot and arrest him. The crew identified themselves as members of the media and said they’d be willing to relocate. Jimenez asked why he was being arrested and the police officers did not provide a reason.
Nearby Jimenez, CNN reporter Josh Campbell was reporting and was not arrested.
CNN reporter Omar Jimenez, who is black and Latino, and his team were arrested by officers early this morning in Minneapolis. Not far away, CNN journalist Josh Campbell, who is white, says he was "treated much differently." https://t.co/xmT2bRNQ5Ypic.twitter.com/ZVpbt2sI21
The move has sparked outrage as racial tensions in the state are high after George Floyd’s death. Minnesotans are calling for justice after four police officers attempted to arrest Floyd leading to his death. Jimenez’s arrest sparked some anger as people considered the arrest racially motivated during the protests.
“We can move back to where you’d like. We can move back to where you’d like here. We are live on the air at the moment,” Jimenez told the officers. “We’re getting out of your way. So, just let us know. Wherever you’d want us, we will go. We were just getting out of your way when you were advancing through the intersection. Let us know and we’ve got you.”
The governor of Minnesota apologized for Jimenez’s arrest in a press conference on Friday.
WATCH: Minnesota Gov. Tim Waltz apologizes for the on-air arrest of CNN reporter Omar Jimenez, who was covering the aftermath of the protests that occurred in Minneapolis overnight.
"I take full responsibility. There is absolutely no reason something like this should happen." pic.twitter.com/poDwfbotSQ
In the same press conference, Minnesota Gov. Tim Waltz, apologized for the arrest of Jimenez and his crew. Gov. Waltz took responsibility for the arrests because they were made by Minnesota State Police. According to Jimenez, after the arrest, the police officers were cordial and that they did not have guidelines for reporters covering the protests. Jimenez says that the officer he spoke with said that he was just following orders.
Twitter users were surprised to see a politician taking responsibility immediately after a situation.
Watching accountability in real time is amazing. Surreal
There have been so many instances when politicians do not take accountability for actions that happen within their departments. The police-caused deaths of unarmed Black men, women, and children are usually followed by protests and the exoneration of the police officers involved.
Despite the early morning arrest, Jimenez was back on air to report on the ongoing unrest in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis has been the center of days of civil unrest. People are demanding justice for Floyd and his family. President Trump took time from his feud with Twitter to tweet about the protest using divisive language. His tweet that harkens back to the 1950s saying “when the looting starts the shooting starts” was flagged by Twitter as inciting violence.
Viewers are celebrating Jimenez’s demeanor during the arrest.
You were amazing with those cops. You were calm, cool and collected.
Your professionalism made sure the story was about the Mn State Patrol and their reactions to the protests.
I hope this opened the eyes of many who never thought about the manifestation of systemic racism.
The reporter stayed calm and controlled while the police officers arrested him without stating a reason. The arrest was a complete surprise to CNN as the anchors who were speaking with Jimenez went speechless when they realized he was been handcuffed.
The civil unrest continues in Minneapolis as one of the fired police officers was arrested. The protesters and community leaders are calling on the rest of the police officers to be arrested for the death of Floyd.
