NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                               MORNING REPORT

To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Friday, December 18, 1998

INCIDENTS

98-330 - Suitland Parkway (MD) - Follow-up: MVA with Fatality

R.E., 31, lost control of his vehicle and struck a tree on June 26th. 
He was uninjured, but his 34-year-old male passenger was pronounced dead at
the scene.  An investigation by Park Police detectives lead to an eight-count
indictment against R.E. this month on a range of charges, including motor
vehicle manslaughter and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated/
impaired.  [Henry Berberich, RLES, NCSO, 12/11]

98-761 - Big Bend NP (TX) - Smuggling of Illegal Immigrants
     
On December 11th, ranger Mike Baldree stopped A.M. for a minor
traffic violation.  A.M. told Baldree that he was heading to Mexico and
would be crossing at Boquillas.  Since there is no vehicle crossing at this
location, Baldree gave A.M. a verbal warning for the violation, then set
up surveillance on the vehicle, suspecting a possible smuggling operation. 
There were suspicious inconsistencies in A.M.'s story, and Baldree also
knew that A.M.'s brother had been arrested with a large amount of cash on
him by Border Patrol agents two weeks previously.  Three hours later, Baldree
saw the same vehicle headed northbound, closely followed by a second vehicle. 
Rangers stopped both of them and found five illegal immigrants (including an
infant) in A.M.'s vehicle.  The operator and sole occupant of the second
vehicle was identified as one Perfecto Abad.  Investigation at the scene led
to the discovery of evidence that linked both operators and their vehicles to
the smuggling operation.  Both were arrested by the Border Patrol and charged
with smuggling illegal immigrants.  [Gus Martinez, DR, BIBE, 12/17]

98-762 - Coronado NM (AZ) - Drug Seizure
     
Between December 9th and 17th, joint operations by NPS rangers and Customs
agents resulted in the seizure of almost 1,600 pounds of marijuana which had
been smuggled through the park.  Smuggling operatives have become
increasingly sophisticated and are now found carrying night vision equipment,
encrypted radio systems, and rifles or shotguns.  [Fred Moosman, CR, CORO,
12/17] 

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION

No entries.

PARK DISPATCHES

No entries.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

No entries.

MEMORANDA

No entries.

INTERCHANGE

No entries.

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Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the cooperation and
support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.

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