U.S. Customs Apprehends Fourth Murder Suspect at Nogales Port

NOGALES, AZ - Nogales, Arizona may not be the biggest port of entry into the United States but when it comes to apprehending murder suspects, it may well be the busiest as Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers stationed there are learning. On November 1, 2005, a woman wanted on 1st Degree Murder charges in Pima County was apprehended by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers making her the fourth suspect nabbed since September 1st . At approximately 1:45 yesterday afternoon, CBP officers performing anti-terrorism operations at the Deconcini port of entry were approached by a woman claiming to have information about a homicide. While the officers were talking to 30-year-old Carmela Corella, they ran her name through their systems and found a warrant for her arrest for 1st Degree Murder issued out of Pima County. The officers immediately took custody of her and notified the Santa Cruz County Sheriffs office. When deputies arrived, they turned Ms. Corella over to them to await extradition to Pima County. This is the fourth murder suspect Customs and Border Protection Officers at the Nogales port of entry have apprehended since September 1st. 24-year-old David Dela Cruz, wanted in Pima County, was apprehended attempting to enter the US without documents on September 24th. On October 22nd, 20-year-old Uriel Diaz, wanted in Pomona, California was caught while entering with his family. 25-year-old Jesus Duarte, wanted in Pima County, turned himself in to CBP officers on October 26. Since October 1, 2004, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Arizona ports of entry have apprehended over 400 fugitives with nationwide warrants. While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in impressive numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.