TECATE, Calif. — With flames encircling the remote border crossing east of San Diego, U.S. Customs inspectors wasted no time evacuating. They closed
the gate blocking the lanes into California, wrapped a chain around it, and snapped on the lock.
The Tecate Port of Entry officially was closed.
But not for long.
Minutes later on Sunday afternoon, someone cut the chain. The gate swung open. People began rushing through the unguarded crossing.
"Who knows if they had papers or not?" said Adan Nunez Estrada, a Mexican Customs inspector who works at the crossing.
The crossing stayed unguarded for about 30 minutes, until border patrol agents and sheriff's deputies made their way back through the flames and
restored order, Nunez said. Since the incident, several agents have been monitoring the border crossing, which has remained closed except to Mexican
firefighters coming to lend a hand in California.
"I don't blame the customs guys for getting out," said one U.S. law enforcement source who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not
authorized to speak with the media. "They could have been killed."
Because of the incident, customs officials will look into getting a taller gate and more substantial chains, said Vincent Bond, a spokesman for
Customs and Border Protection.
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