Hiker shot twice and robbed by suspected Mexican cartel while on U.S. soil | Law Enforcement Today

SAN DIEGO, CA - Authorities with the U.S. Border Patrol El Centro Sector said that a hiker was brutally attacked by "suspected cartel members" while exploring a wilderness area in California near the U.S.-Mexico border.

According to Fox News, the incident happened around 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22nd near the border of San Diego and Imperial counties when a group of U.S. citizens who were hiking in the Jacumba Wilderness in California were brutally attacked and hit with gunfire by suspected cartel members.

A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) source told Fox News that two suspected cartel members, who were armed with dangerous handguns, were about a thousand yards inside the U.S in the Jacumba area when they confronted two hikers in the group and began yelling at them in Spanish. The source said the hikers did not understand them, so the gunmen yelled, "come."

At that point, the hikers feared they would be kidnapped, so they turned away. However, once they moved to turn away, the gunmen fired two shots in the air. When the hikers didn't respond, the alleged cartel members fired shots, striking one of the hikers in his leg. Thankfully, Border Patrol agents were able to successfully rescue the hikers and evacuate them. The hiked is expected to recover. Authorities said that all threats had been neutralized.

Border Patrol confirmed that its elite Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) and marksmen are saturating the area. USBP Chief Patrol Agent Gregory K. Bovino wrote on X, "Cartels think they can bring their war here. Think again! Americans won't be intimidated. Our agents & BORTAC will confront these threats HEAD ON!"

The El Centro Sector wrote on social media, "These cartels think they can bring their war to American soil. Let this serve as a WARNING: The El Centro Sector will not stand idly by. The safety of our citizens is NOT negotiable; cartel terrorists have no place in our country preying on the innocent. Enough is enough."

In a separate incident, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced tha arrest of 39 violent criminals involved in gang violence, including drug dealing and arms trafficking. FOX5 reported that the operation, dubbed Los Impuestos, has taken down alleged street gang members operating in San Diego County under the direction of the largest prison gang, the Mexican Mafia.

San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said, "This case is one of the greatest of our time." During the six-month investigation, authorities said that the street gangs were directed to impose mafia-style taxes on local businesses in the areas of downtown, Barrio Logan, Logan Heights and Southeast San Diego. Stephan said, "Essentially, they are shot callers that coordinate with Mexican cartels and they also then give essentially orders to our street gangs on multiple gangs on what they're supposed to do, who are they supposed to execute because they didn't pay the tax, what businesses should they blow up."

She said the offenders who are locked up are able to direct street gangs by using cell phones. The operation has led to the confiscation of about 50 guns, including AR-15 rifles, 60 pounds of fentanyl, and 75 pounds of meth. Authorities said that the street gangs are directed to harass and vandalize businesses.

San Diego Police Department Lieutenant Chris Tivanian said, "They were told if you call law enforcement, what we are doing to you now, will only get worse, we will vandalize your business, we will burn your business, we will beat your employees, we will kill you and your employees." Wahl said this case should send a message to the community. He said, "Let this be a message to those that wish to do harm for organized crime. You can expect more of this, if you exist here in our county."