(Border Patrol rescues a large group)...It was reported late last week.

The El Centro Sector Border Patrol received a 911 call at around 12:15 Thursday morning. An individual said he was lost in the Jacumba Wilderness region. He said he was with 15 other individuals and they needed assistance. Agents in the field were given the coordinates provided, and the search began. Just over two hours later agents located all 16 individuals about a mile north of the US/Mexico border. All were found to be safe and none needed medical attention. It was verified all had entered the US illegally. They were taken into custody and transported to El Centro for processing. Since October, El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents have successfully rescued 253 individuals who were lost, in distress or abandoned by smugglers.