Chicago O’Hare Airport Customs and Border Protection Officers Save Life of Arriving Passenger

Chicago - The International Terminal at Chicago O’Hare Airport is a microcosm of constantly moving people and technology. There is a certain rhythm to the ebb and flow of air passengers arriving from foreign countries and departing to their final destinations. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at O’Hare know the movement of international travelers and when one passenger breaks that rhythm they are prepared and trained to know exactly what to do. On September 23, CBP officers saved the life of an arriving international passenger who collapsed at O’Hare Airport.

The passenger, a 68-year-old male Polish-national, had arrived onboard LOT Polish Airlines flight 001 from Warsaw, Poland at approximately 3:40 p.m. He was processed by CBP; however, collapsed into an unconscious and unresponsive condition within the federal inspections area. Immediately, City of Chicago paramedics were notified while CBP officers retrieved a nearby Automated External Defibrillation unit. CBP officers, trained in the use of the AED and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation began to administer lifesaving procedures and the passenger began to breathe on his own. CBP officers continued to monitor the passenger until the paramedics arrived and transported the subject to the hospital with good vital signs.

“CBP officers working in international airport operations come in contact with thousands of passengers every day and are specially trained and certified to provide aid to travelers who are in serious trouble,” said Steven Artino, CBP Chicago Acting Director of Field Operations. “Without hesitation, our officers reacted and saved this man’s life. CBP officers at O’Hare respond with AED units and save lives every year. Since March, this is the second time at O’Hare Airport that CBP officers have responded and saved the life of an international passenger.”

The name of the program which positions AED units in the airport one minute apart is the Heart Saver Program. This program was the first of its kind in the country to be implemented by the City of Chicago Department of Aviation at O’Hare Airport more than 20 years ago. Classes are offered by the City of Chicago every month at both O’Hare and Midway Airports. As a result, more than one third of all Port of Chicago CBP officers are trained and certified in AED, CPR, and First Aid.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

CBP Officers Find Wanted Probation Violator in St. Thomas

St. Thomas, Virgin Islands - A woman wanted by New York Suffolk County authorities was recently identified and arrested by Cyril E. King Airport U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers while traveling to Miami, Florida.

Mari Elizabeth Ahevonderae, 42, presented herself for inspection at the Cyril E. King Airport prior to boarding an American Airlines flight destined to Miami. CBP law enforcement databases revealed that Ahevonderae was wanted on a probation violation by the Suffolk County Sherriff’s Office in New York.

After confirmation of the outstanding warrant, Ahevonderae was allowed to travel to Miami International Airport where CBP officers arrested her and turned her over to the Miami-Dade Police Department for extradition proceedings.

“Customs and Border Protection is an agency committed to securing our borders, while at the same time cooperating with other law enforcement agencies in the enforcement of U.S. laws. CBP officers are always vigilant to detect individuals that have broken our laws and attempt to defeat our justice system,” stated Marcelino Borges, Director of Field Operations for Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands.

The primary mission of CBP is anti-terrorism. CBP officers screen all people, vehicles, and goods entering the United States, while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel into and out of the nation.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Chicago Customs and Border Protection Top Canine Finds Opium in Foreign Mail Shipments

Chicago – Chicago U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the CBP International Mail Facility, near O’Hare International Airport, recently seized two shipments of opium saturated cloth items from Laos. On September 11, CBP canine Rogue alerted to these imported parcels containing decorative narcotic laden materials weighing more than 28 pounds and valued at $302,000. 

CBP Chicago Canine Enforcement Officer Joseph Jablonski and partner Rogue search for parcels with illegal narcotics at the Chicago International Mail Branch near O’Hare Airport.

After the canine alert, CBP officers opened the two packages which contained pieces of decorative cloth and hats. A subsequent field narcotics test revealed the presence of opium within the fabric of the cloth which emitted a strong odor. One parcel contained 23 pieces of opium saturated cloth weighing 14 pounds and the other parcel contained 24 opium saturated pieces of cloth and 9 hats, with a weight of 14.3 pounds. Both shipments were manifested as “Hmong Dresses” addressed to individuals in different Minnesota cities.

“CBP narcotic seizures from international mail are on the rise in Chicago as our officers take millions in illegal drugs off the streets, protecting our communities,” said Steven Artino, Acting Chicago CBP Director of Field Operations in Chicago. “Rogue is a wonder dog in the international mail environment. He transferred from our CBP Cincinnati express consignment operation last April and has now found more than 600 shipments of opium here in Chicago, valued at more than $4 million.”

Rogue, a five-year-old Belgian Malinois narcotic detector dog, is one of the CBP Port of Chicago canine family. Throughout the year, CBP canine teams work at international mail facilities to examine millions of foreign mail shipments coming into the U. S. from all parts of the world. In Chicago, the CBP canine crew includes Belgian Malinois, German Shepherds, Labradors and Beagles.

CBP canine enforcement teams are highly trained in different programs to detect large amounts of currency; illegal narcotics, explosives, humans, or dangerous food and plant material that may carry pests and diseases harming U.S. agriculture. There are over 1,300 CBP canine teams located throughout the country who are vital four-legged weapons in keeping this country safe.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

El Centro Sector Border Patrol Intercepts Drugs Thrown Over Border Fence

Calexico, Calif. – Today, U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Calexico station intercepted drugs concealed in tape wrapped packages near 1st Street and Blair Avenue.

The incident occurred at approximately 12:00 a.m., after Border Patrol agents conducting routine operations near Downtown Calexico observed what appeared to be six wrapped packages near the intersection of 1st Street and Blair Avenue in Calexico, Calif. Upon closer inspection Border Patrol agents confirmed the six packages which were wrapped to resemble kettle bell weights, all tested positive for marijuana.

“This seizure also speaks to the brazen nature of the narcotics smugglers who attempt to operate in the area, as the location of the narcotics is heavily transited by the public during all hours of the day”, said Spokesman Fabian Morales of the El Centro Sector Public Affairs. “There were no individuals associated with this seizure.”

In total, six packages of marijuana weighing approximately 14.77 pounds were seized with an estimated street value of more than $11,700. The marijuana was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The El Centro Sector’s Community Awareness Campaign is a simple and effective program to raise public awareness on the indicators of crime and other threats. We encourage public and private sector employees to remain vigilant and play a key role in keeping our country safe. Please report any suspicious activity to the Border Community Threat Hotline at (800) 901-2003.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control, and protection of our Nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Washington CBP Seizes $29K in Unreported Currency

Sterling, Va. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) seized $29,000 Monday from a Ghanaian woman for violating federal currency reporting regulations.

The passenger, who arrived to Dulles from London, declared possessing less than $10,000. While examining her bags, CBP officers discovered a large sum of U.S. currency in a zippered compartment of her handbag. The final count was $29,000.

There is no limit to how much currency travelers can import or export; however federal law requires travelers to report to CBP amounts exceeding $10,000 in U.S. dollars or equivalent foreign currency.

CBP officers seized the $29,000 and advised the traveler how to petition for the return of her seized currency.

“Travelers who refuse to comply with federal currency reporting requirements run the risk of having their currency seized, and may potentially face criminal charges,” said Christopher Hess, CBP port director for the Port of Washington. “The traveler was given the opportunity to truthfully report her currency. The easiest way to hold on to your money is to report it.”

In addition to narcotics interdiction, CBP routinely conducts inspection operations on arriving and departing international flights and intercepts currency, weapons, prohibited agriculture products or other illicit items.

Travelers are encouraged to visit CBP’s Travel website to learn rules governing travel to and from the U.S.

The Privacy Act prohibits releasing the traveler’s name since she was not criminally charged.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control, and protection of our Nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.