Exclusive: Elderly American allegedly tries to traffic $455K worth of cocaine and ketamine across US border



A 75-year-old American citizen was arrested while trying to cross the border into the U.S. after Customs and Border Protection officers discovered numerous packages of alleged illegal narcotics in his vehicle, according to a CBP press release obtained exclusively by Blaze News.

Federal authorities apprehended the suspect, who was driving a 2011 Volvo XC60, on Friday while crossing the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge at the Laredo Port of Entry in Texas.

'Our officers' vigilance and dedication continue to play a critical role in safeguarding the border and preventing narcotics from reaching our streets.'

A CBP officer referred the suspect to a secondary inspection, which involved a canine and nonintrusive inspection system examination. Officers reportedly uncovered 14 packages containing nearly 33 pounds of alleged cocaine and 288 grams of alleged ketamine within the vehicle.

According to CBP, the illegal narcotics have a $455,822 street value.

The suspect was placed in custody, and CBP seized the alleged narcotics and vehicle. Homeland Security Investigations special agents are investigating the seizure.

RELATED: Exclusive: Border Patrol discovers 19 people hiding in drainage system trying to illegally enter US

Salwan Georges/The Washington Post/Getty Images

"This seizure of cocaine and ketamine at the Laredo Port of Entry demonstrates our ongoing commitment to protecting our communities from dangerous drugs and illicit activity," stated Alberto Flores, the port director for the Laredo Port of Entry.

"Our officers' vigilance and dedication continue to play a critical role in safeguarding the border and preventing narcotics from reaching our streets," Flores added.

RELATED: 6 people found dead in boxcar in Texas border town, police say

Salwan Georges/The Washington Post/Getty Images

CBP credited President Donald Trump, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, and CBP officers for stopping illegal activity and facilitating the lawful entry of legitimate travelers across the southern border.

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Mullin threatens to block flights into sanctuary cities after Democrats interfere with ICE



Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin has sent liberals and travel industry proponents into a tailspin after revealing a strategy that may prevent illegal immigrants from ever entering U.S. sanctuary jurisdictions in the first place.

During an appearance with Sean Hannity on Fox News Tuesday night, Mullin stated that he and others are "currently drawing up plans" to halt international passenger and cargo processing at airports near sanctuary cities since Democrats have attempted to interfere with DHS officers at immigration detention facilities, most recently in Newark, New Jersey.

'They don't want us to enforce immigration, but they want us to process immigration at their facilities?'

"Local, radical left Democrats aren't allowing us to do our job and enforce federal laws," Mullin claimed, so "we shouldn't be processing international flights into their cities."

"They don't want us to enforce immigration, but they want us to process immigration at their facilities?" he continued. "Nothing about that makes sense to me."

Mullin did not elaborate on which cities or airports he had in mind, though last year the Justice Department issued a list of "sanctuary jurisdictions" that includes states like California and Connecticut; counties like Cook County, Illinois; and cities such as Boston, Denver, and San Francisco.

RELATED: 'If they want to come, they're coming': Democrats whine in viral video that sanctuary city policies won't stop ICE

Companies and organizations associated with the travel industry have strongly opposed cutting off immigration processing at major U.S. airports.

According to DW, the U.S. Travel Association and several major airlines issued a joint statement on Friday, predicting that "such a move would have devastating consequences for the travel industry and communities that depend on international visitation."

Airlines for America, another trade organization, insisted that reducing the presence of Customs and Border Protection at airports would cause "significant operational disruption to carriers, travelers, and the flow of international cargo."

However, even other members of Trump's Cabinet have responded to Mullin's idea with ambivalence. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy admitted during a congressional hearing Thursday that he has misgivings about restricting air travel based on "politics."

"We have people from around the world and around the country that need to be able to fly into all different kinds of places," Duffy told Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.). "We shouldn't shut down air travel in a state that doesn't agree with our politics."

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Tom Homan Admits Deportations Are ‘Slightly Down’

'Am I happy ... right now? No'

Sexual predators, child abusers, and other criminal illegal aliens arrested by ICE during National Police Week



The Department of Homeland Security highlighted several criminal illegal aliens who were arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Thursday during National Police Week, according to a press release obtained exclusively by Blaze News.

Federal agents arrested sexual predators, child abusers, and those previously convicted of other violent crimes.

'Every single day, our officers put their lives on the line to remove criminal illegal aliens from American neighborhoods.'

“Yesterday, the men and women of ICE risked their lives to arrest child pornographers, sexual predators, and burglars,” DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis stated.

“Every single day, our officers put their lives on the line to remove criminal illegal aliens from American neighborhoods,” Bis continued. “On Police Week and every day, our pride in and support for these brave men and women keeping America safe will remain unwavering.”

DHS highlighted that ICE arrested Henry Paul Noriega-Perez, an illegal alien from Guatemala whose rap sheet includes a conviction for aggravated criminal sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of a minor in Cook County, Illinois.

RELATED: 'Disgusting criminal' illegal alien tortured dogs at animal training center in Las Vegas, DHS says

Henry Paul Noriega-Perez. Image source: Department of Homeland Security

Ueliton Aparecido Deborba, an illegal alien from Brazil, was also captured by ICE agents on Thursday. He was previously convicted of first-degree sexual assault of a victim under 13 years old and risk to injure a child in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Ueliton Aparecido Deborba. Image source: Department of Homeland Security

Federal immigration agents nabbed Raul Sanchez-Garduno, an illegal alien from Mexico who was convicted of aggravated sexual battery and forcible sodomy in Prince William County, Virginia.

Raul Sanchez-Garduno. Image source: Department of Homeland Security

Jason Daniel Mendoza-Canales, an illegal alien from Honduras, was also captured by ICE. His criminal history includes a conviction for sexual battery by restraint in Santa Monica, California.

Jason Daniel Mendoza-Canales. Image source: Department of Homeland Security

ICE arrested Juan Jose Godoy-Nunez, an illegal alien from Honduras. He was previously convicted of assault and burglary in Sumner County, Tennessee.

RELATED: Democratic mayor installs 'anti-ICE' signs all over Los Angeles — Trump administration issues MOCKING response

Juan Jose Godoy-Nunez. Image source: Department of Homeland Security

“This Police Week, DHS honors law enforcement men and women protecting American communities from barbaric criminals,” the press release reads.

Bis noted that DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin was “on the ground with ICE law enforcement officers in Virginia” on Friday.

Mullin stated that ICE arrested an illegal alien who had previously been removed multiple times from the U.S. and had a criminal history of drug possession and driving under the influence. He blamed Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger and her sanctuary policies for making “Virginia a magnet for criminal illegal aliens.”

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Kash Patel grilled over security failures following third assassination attempt against Trump



FBI Director Kash Patel is facing some tough questions in the aftermath of yet another assassination attempt against President Donald Trump.

Trump and members of his Cabinet were targeted Saturday night at the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner after a gunman rushed past a security checkpoint and opened fire in the Washington Hilton lobby. The suspect, later identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen, was staying at the hotel and was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives.

'It was a total failure.'

Before he was apprehended and taken into custody, the gunman shot a Secret Serviceman who was wearing a bulletproof vest.

Allen's alleged manifesto was later made public, revealing anti-Trump and anti-Christian motivations that may have fueled the attack.

Although the Secret Service successfully stopped the third assassination attempt, several questions remain about the efficacy of the security measures in place since the shooter was able to get that far.

RELATED: Stunning new details reveal the 'depraved' motivation of the suspected WHCD shooter

US President Trump via Truth Social/Anadolu/Getty Images

"They did a great job on the ground," "Fox & Friends" host Lawrence Jones said of the Secret Service. "But they remain reactive. The proactive approach is still under great scrutiny. The president of the United States is averaging an assassination attempt once a year."

"So who’s going to do the investigating of the procedures?" Jones asked Patel. "Secret Service can’t investigate themselves because there are still people in leadership at the Secret Service that were responsible for Butler. How does that happen? It was a failure."

Patel acknowledged the failures that took place in Butler, Pennsylvania, but deferred to the Department of Homeland Security under Secretary Markwayne Mullin's leadership. Patel did not detail which procedures or protocols would be improved or changed but indicated that some sort of reform would take place.

"I can’t speak to Butler, and I agree it was a total failure. Absolutely," Patel responded. "But I have full confidence in Secretary Markwayne Mullin. He oversees the United States Secret Service. I've talked to him repeatedly over the weekend ... and said, 'Whatever you need from the FBI, whatever we can assist in, and however we can better prepare to protect our protectees going forward, with the U.S. Secret Service, this FBI stands ready to do.' And we’re going to improve that process under Markwayne’s leadership and oversight of the Secret Service."

RELATED: Trump evacuated from White House Correspondents' Dinner following possible gunfire

Celal Gunes/Anadolu/Getty Images

Patel was also pressed about the suspect's proximity to the event. He had checked into the Washington Hilton the day before. Although the Hilton hosts the dinner, only a portion of the hotel is secured despite the dozens of dignitaries in attendance.

"This was a matter that needs to be heavily scrutinized, because it almost took the lives of dozens if not hundreds of people," Patel said.

"We're going to be talking about how we improve the security, not just for this event but for all events going forward," Patel added. "We’re going to learn from this one, and we’re going to utilize President Trump’s leadership and backing of the blue and law enforcement and work with DHS to ensure our Cabinet, our protectees, and the American civilian population is as best protected as possible.”

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Stunning new details reveal the 'depraved' motivation of the suspected WHCD shooter



Bombshell new details reveal the possible motivation of the suspected shooter who opened fire at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on Saturday night.

The suspected gunman was apprehended in the Washington Hilton lobby after attempting to rush through security and shooting a Secret Serviceman who was wearing a bulletproof vest. Just moments after numerous loud shots rang out, President Donald Trump and other dignitaries were rushed out of the dinner by Secret Service.

'What was supposed to be a fun night at the WHCA dinner ... was hijacked by a depraved crazy person.'

The suspected assailant was later identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, a California resident who was staying at the hotel the night of the dinner. Agents fired back at the suspect, but he was not hit. The agent is expected to recover, and no other injuries were reported.

In the hours after the shooting, reports revealed that Allen had allegedly written a manifesto stating he wanted to target President Donald Trump and administration officials. Allen also allegedly had anti-Trump and anti-Christian rhetoric on his social media accounts.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the suspect "sought to assassinate" Trump, which would make Saturday the third assassination attempt on the president.

RELATED: Trump says suspect who shot Secret Serviceman at WHCD identified: 'It's always shocking'

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

"What was supposed to be a fun night at the WHCA dinner with President Trump delivering jokes and celebrating free speech was hijacked by a depraved crazy person who sought to assassinate the President and kill as many top Trump administration officials as possible," Leavitt said in a statement.

"I was with President Trump and the First Lady back stage after we were quickly ushered to safety by Secret Service," Leavitt added. "President Trump was truly fearless, but as he said last night, this political violence needs to end."

Leavitt confirmed that a Secret Service agent was shot by the suspect, thanking the "brave agent who took a bullet to the chest and immediately moved to neutralize the shooter."

Trump also confirmed the manifesto's existence, saying it was clear from the writing that the suspect "hates Christians."

"The guy is a sick guy, when you read his manifesto," Trump said. "He hates Christians, that's one thing for sure. ... He was a very troubled guy."

RELATED: Trump evacuated from White House Correspondents' Dinner following possible gunfire

Andrew Leyden/Getty Images

The Secret Service reportedly interviewed Allen's sister, who allegedly claimed her brother made radical statements and referred to a plan to do "something." According to multiple reports, Allen was also confirmed to have purchased a shotgun and two handguns prior to the dinner.

Allen's potential political affiliation is further reinforced by his reported participation in No Kings protests as well as a $25 donation to former Democrat presidential nominee Kamala Harris.

During a press briefing at the White House moments after the incident, President Trump insisted that the dinner will be rescheduled, saying, "We’re not going to let anybody take over our society."

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Trump says suspect who shot Secret Serviceman at WHCD identified: 'It's always shocking'



President Donald Trump briefed the press Saturday night following a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, prompting Secret Service to evacuate the president and other dignitaries from the area.

Trump said a sole gunman rushed Secret Service agents in the lobby of the Washington Hilton, where he shot an agent before being detained. The agent was rushed to the hospital and was wearing a bulletproof vest, according to the president.

Several outlets have reported the shooting suspect as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California.

'I want to live because I want to make this country great.'

"This is not the first time in the past couple of years that our republic has been attacked by a would-be assassin who sought to kill," Trump told reporters.

Trump also released a photo of the suspected gunman being detained in the lobby as well as footage of the assailant rushing past security.

RELATED: Trump evacuated from White House Correspondents' Dinner following possible gunfire

Law enforcement confirmed that the assailant is in custody, with Trump saying he had "multiple weapons." Trump also said the suspected gunman's apartment in California is being searched.

Officials believe the gunman was acting alone. The motivation has not yet been determined or disclosed.

Trump, who has already survived two assassination attempts, reflected on the political violence waged against him and other politicians, saying, "I want to live because I want to make this country great."

Trump was flanked by various members of his inner circle, including first lady Melania Trump, FBI Director Kash Patel, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

"It's always shocking when something like this happens," Trump said. Trump also confirmed that the dinner will be rescheduled to a later date.

"We’re not going to let anybody take over our society."

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Another top Trump official is on the way out



Markwayne Mullin, who took over as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security following Kristi Noem's ouster in March, announced Thursday that there is going to be another senior personnel change at his agency.

Todd Lyons will leave the role of acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, effective May 31.

'A phenomenal patriot and dedicated leader.'

"Director Lyons has been a great leader of ICE and key player in helping the Trump administration remove murderers, rapists, pedophiles, terrorists, and gang members from American communities," said Mullin. "He jumpstarted an agency that had not been allowed to do its job for four years."

"We wish him luck on his next opportunity in the private sector," added Mullin.

Lyons is a veteran ICE official who has served with the agency since 2007.

Around the time he entered the role of acting director in March 2025 — following the demotion of his predecessor, Caleb Vitello — Noem characterized Lyons as a work horse who, with border czar Tom Homan, had done "incredible work cleaning up our communities and making them safer."

RELATED: Billionaire Tom Steyer admits embarrassing 'mistake' after saying ICE should be 'abolished' in California governor's race

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call Inc/Getty Images

In the months since, Lyons has been on the receiving end of relentless abuse by anti-ICE activists such as New Jersey Rep. LaMonica McIver (D), who subjected him to a 3.5-minute rant during a congressional hearing in February. After questioning Lyons' religiosity, McIver asked him, "How do you think Judgment Day will work for you with so much blood on your hands?"

The radical Democrat who allegedly assaulted ICE officers last year, asked further, "Do you think you're going to hell, Mr. Lyons?"

When disgraced ex-California Rep. Eric Swalwell (D) demanded Lyons' resignation in February, he refused, later stating, "I will not resign, because I believe in the rule of law and will continue to uphold my oath."

A pair of unnamed U.S. officials told CBS News that Lyons was planning to leave the federal government to spend more time with family, including his sons, in Massachusetts.

Prioritizing family was also DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin's apparent reason for resigning earlier this year.

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller said in a statement that Lyons is "a phenomenal patriot and dedicated leader who has been at the center of President Trump's historic efforts to secure our homeland and reverse the Democrats' sinister border invasion."

Homan said in a statement obtained by CNN, "I commend him for a distinguished law enforcement career and the countless contributions he has made to protect our country and advance its interests."

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'Truly sick individuals': ICE arrests convicted murderer and sexual predators



On Monday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents nabbed several criminal illegal aliens whom Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin described as "truly sick individuals."

A DHS press release, obtained exclusively by Blaze News, highlighted ICE's recent arrest of five illegal immigrants across the country who were taken into federal custody.

'We will not allow criminal illegal aliens to roam free in our communities and terrorize innocent Americans.'

These individuals have been "convicted of voluntary manslaughter, lewd battery on a child, attempted statutory rape of a child, and other horrific crimes," the press release read.

The DHS stated that nearly 70% of ICE arrests are of illegal aliens with prior criminal charges or convictions.

Immigration officers captured Rodolfo Sanchez, an illegal alien from Mexico who was previously convicted of voluntary manslaughter and burglary of a building in Houston, Texas.

RELATED: Woman claims ICE wrongfully detained her for 30 hours — now a sheriff is suing her for defamation

Rodolfo Sanchez. Image source: Department of Homeland Security

ICE agents nabbed Jose Rivera-Orta, a 56-year-old illegal alien from Cuba who was convicted of lewd/lascivious battery on a child 12 to 15 years old in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

Jose Rivera-Orta. Image source: Department of Homeland Security

Federal agents arrested Jacobo Pablo-Ramirez, an illegal alien from Guatemala. His rap sheet includes a conviction for attempted statutory rape of a child in Duplin County, North Carolina.

Jacobo Pablo-Ramirez. Image source: Department of Homeland Security

Daniel Garces-Flores, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, was captured by ICE. He was previously convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Hidalgo County, Texas.

Daniel Garces-Flores. Image source: Department of Homeland Security

Immigration agents also arrested Derekson Lett, an illegal alien from Grenada who was convicted of robbery in Staten Island, New York. A local report from SILive.com stated that in 2015, Lett, who was 26 years old at the time, had tried to rob a prostitute who was allegedly fatally shot by Lett's accomplice in a motel. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

RELATED: Thug accused of killing woman in Florida hammer attack is Haitian illegal alien protected from deportation under Biden: DHS

Derekson Lett. Image source: Department of Homeland Security

"Yesterday, ICE arrested some truly sick individuals, including murderers, pedophiles, sexual predators, and violent thugs," Mullin stated. "Nearly 70% of ICE arrests are of illegal aliens charged or convicted of a crime in the U.S. We will not allow criminal illegal aliens to roam free in our communities and terrorize innocent Americans."

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Trump announces plan to pay DHS workers amid ongoing Democrat shutdown



President Donald Trump has announced plans to issue paychecks to Department of Homeland Security employees amid the ongoing partial shutdown, which has left Transportation Security Administration officers working without pay for weeks and jammed up airport security lines nationwide.

TSA agents’ last full paycheck was on Feb. 14. Nearly 500 workers have quit since the shutdown started, and the callout rate reached 11.83% as of March 26, CNN reported.

'Defund-the-police Democrats have kept @DHSgov closed in an attempt to slow down ICE’s efforts to remove murderers, rapists.'

Trump previously directed the DHS to work with the Office of Management and Budget “to use funds that have a reasonable and logical nexus to TSA operations to provide TSA employees with the compensation and benefits that would have accrued to them if not for the Democrat-led DHS shutdown, consistent with applicable law.”

As a result of Trump’s directive, on March 30, many TSA workers received at least part of their overdue pay after missing two full paychecks.

On Thursday, Trump announced additional steps to ensure all DHS employees receive their wages.

“Republicans are UNIFIED, and moving forward on a plan that will reload funding for our FANTASTIC Border Patrol and Immigration Enforcement Officers,” Trump wrote in a post on social media.

RELATED: Senate approves DHS funding — but there's a catch

CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP/Getty Images

Trump criticized Democrats for being “fully and 100% committed to the Radical Left Policy of Open Borders and Zero Immigration Enforcement” that has allowed unvetted “Murderers and Criminals of all types” into the United States. He added that he hopes their actions will “cost them dearly in the Midterms!”

The president stated that he would take executive action to address the ongoing issue.

“I will soon sign an order to pay ALL of the incredible employees at the Department of Homeland Security,” Trump wrote. “Their families have suffered far too long at the hands of the Extreme Liberal ‘Leaders,’ Cryin’ Chuck Schumer and Hakeem ‘High Tax’ Jeffries.”

Trump declared that “help is on the way for our Brave and Patriotic Public Servants who have continued to work hard, and do their part to protect and defend our Country.”

RELATED: Delta revokes major travel perk for Congress amid ongoing DHS shutdown

Shelby Tauber/Bloomberg/Getty Images

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin thanked the president for his latest announcement.

“For over a month, the defund-the-police Democrats have kept @DHSgov closed in an attempt to slow down ICE’s efforts to remove murderers, rapists, pedophiles, gang members, and terrorists from our country and open our borders. Time and time again the Democrats have prioritized violent illegal aliens over American citizens,” Mullin wrote.

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