Calexico, California - El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the El Centro station apprehended a suspected murderer attempting to make an illegal entry into the United States on Friday.

At approximately 8 a.m., Border Patrol agents observed Ignacio Luque Verdugo, a 31-year-old Mexican citizen, enter the United States illegally through an area three miles west of the Calexico downtown port of entry.  Agents responded to the area, located Luque, and placed him under arrest.

Agents ran Luque’s information through law enforcement databases and were alerted to an active felony warrant out of Colorado for First Degree Murder.

Luque is in Border Patrol custody and will be turned over to the Imperial County Sheriff’s Department.

Last fiscal year, El Centro Sector had 14,511 apprehensions of persons attempting to enter the United States illegally.

The El Centro Sector’s Community Awareness Campaign is a simple and effective program to raise public awareness on the indicators of crime and other threats.  We encourage public and private sector employees to remain vigilant and play a key role in keeping our country safe.  Please report any suspicious activity to the Border Community Threat Hotline at 1-800-901-2003.