CBP reports successes with task force for curbing human smuggling on Otay Mountain

In response to continued illegal border crossings through Otay Mountain near San Diego, the U.S. Border Patrol in October launched an enforcement strategy, called Task Force Otay, which focused criminal organizations that exploit various human smuggling routes along the mountain.

Since the task force’s implementation, Border Patrol has reported the apprehension of more than 1,000 people who illegally entered the United States on Otay Mountain. Additionally, 39 of the individuals arrested faced federal prosecution for criminal smuggling or immigration violations.

Border Patrol said a key objective of the operation was to adversely impact human smuggling because of the mountain’s dangerous terrain and rampant bandit activity.

“Through Task Force Otay, the Border Patrol will maintain a zero tolerance approach to human smuggling on Otay Mountain,” said Daniel Parks, patrol agent in charge of the Chula Vista Border Patrol Station. “The success of this strategy is dependent on our partnerships with U.S. prosecutors and Mexican Federal Police.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of the 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.