Justin De La Torre, Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Yuma Sector, announced the arrest of a Belarus national wanted by INTERPOL for aggravated theft. The apprehension followed a call from local law enforcement, with plans underway for the individual’s removal and transfer to foreign authorities. This statement was made on X.
“A call for assistance from our local law enforcement partners on Wednesday turned into an arrest of a Belarus national with an International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) warrant from his native country for aggravated theft,” said De La Torre, Border Patrol Chief. “Yuma Station agents arrested the 44-year-old for alien inadmissibility. He will be processed for removal from the U.S. and subsequently turned over to foreign authorities. Border Security Is National Security.”
In January 2025, according to U.S. Border Patrol, agents in Arizona arrested a Spanish national near Dulzura who had an active INTERPOL Red Notice for sexual abuse of a minor. The individual had overstayed a visa and was processed for removal, with INTERPOL being notified of his apprehension.
Over the past year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona charged seven individuals in separate cases related to smuggling illegal aliens into or within the state. Some of these individuals were fugitives wanted by foreign authorities. These cases demonstrate active enforcement efforts, as noted in a Department of Justice (DOJ) press release.
U.S. Border Patrol in Arizona routinely collaborates with various agencies including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Marshals Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to apprehend fugitives and smugglers. Such interagency efforts have been credited with multiple high-profile arrests, according to a June 2025 DOJ enforcement summary.
De La Torre has served as Chief Patrol Agent of the Yuma Sector since January 2025 and has 25 years of service with Border Patrol. He began his career at the San Diego Sector’s Imperial Beach station and held every field leadership role there before serving as Deputy Chief Patrol Agent in Tucson prior to his current position, as reported by AZFamily.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), under the Department of Homeland Security, is responsible for safeguarding the nation’s borders and preventing illegal entry. Since its establishment in 1924, CBP has operated across 328 ports of entry, protecting 7,000 miles of land borders and 95,000 miles of maritime borders.
