In an Aug. 5 news release, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection said U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a Colombian national and confirmed member of the South American Theft Group in Union July 30. The individual was found to be illegally present in the United States, the release said.

"The subject was initially stopped by the Maine State Police for a commercial inspection after the officer witnessed a violation," said Steven Bansbach, CBP Public Affairs Specialist at the Chicago Field Office & Grand Forks Sector. "Upon further investigation the individual did not have proper identification, so the Border Patrol was called to assist. The subject has now been processed for removal and turned over to ICE ERO for further detention."

The individual had an active warrant from New Jersey for burglary, the release said.

"The subject had previously been apprehended for illegal entry by Border Patrol agents in El Paso, Texas, in June 2022 and processed for expedited removal," the release said. "Additionally, the individual was flagged as a potential national security threat and confirmed as a member of the South American Theft Group, which engages in transnational organized crime. The subject is currently being transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) for detention."