12 detained by Border Patrol in Watertown
Jun. 13—WATERTOWN — Twelve people were detained Friday in Watertown by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officers, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
Sgt. Ben Timerman, the sheriff's public information officer, said in the statement that at about 8:10 a.m. CBP officers initiated a vehicle stop on South Hycliff Drive off Coffeen Street, with several of the vehicle occupants fleeing.
Sheriff deputies responded to assist in locating and apprehending the vehicle occupants.
Timerman said that shortly after, with the assistance of deputies, CBP officers detained numerous people at Adirondack Efficiencies, 1030 Arsenal St.
At CBP's request, a sheriff's corrections van was used to take the detained people to the CBP station on Wellesley Island.
Robert Brisley, a spokesperson for Customs and Border Patrol stated in an email on Friday afternoon that agents "executed targeted enforcement operations" in Watertown which resulted in the arrest of 12 people.
According to CBP, the 12 people were from Ecuador, Guatemala and Honduras and were found to be in the country illegally.
CBP said the investigation is ongoing.
Just one week ago, six Guatemalan nationals were arrested in Watertown as part of a traffic stop for an immigration inspection.
CBP thanked the Watertown Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, and other assisting agencies for their help.
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