Border Patrol agents arrested a previously-deported criminal gang member after the man illegally climbed a border fence to re-enter the U.S. in California.

The agents assigned to the El Centro Border Patrol Station received electronic notification that a man was climbing the International Border fence in the southern California community of Calexico. The Mexican national was making the illegal border crossing about a mile west of the Calexico West Port of Entry, according to information obtained by Breitbart Texas from U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials.

The man made the crossing in the dark at about 9:30 on Wednesday night, officials stated. Border Patrol agents quickly responded to the scene and observed the man running away from the fence towards the downtown area where he would attempt to blend in.

This is an area where at least eight Border Patrol agents have been assaulted by illegal aliens since the new fiscal year began in October, Breitbart Texas previously reported.

Agents took the man into custody and transported him to the El Centro station for processing. While conducting a records check on the illegal alien, agents discovered he had previously been deported for criminal convictions. They also learned he was a member of the “Sureño” gang.

The Sureño gang is a nationwide group of loosely affiliated Latino gangs. The gang is commonly referred to as Sureño 13 or Sureño X3, according to the Sureño 13 website. It originated as a prison gang in southern California and has since spread to all parts of the United States. The gang is reported to be involved in drug trafficking, ripping off other gangs’ drug shipments, prostitution, robberies, murders, debt collection, and extortion.

The gang member was identified by officials only as as a 25-year-old Mexican national. He was placed in custody pending prosecution for felony re-entry after removal.

“Our Border Patrol Agents do a great job of enforcing immigration laws, but they also excel in ensuring that our communities are safe from these types of criminals,” Chief Patrol Agent Rodney S. Scott said in a written statement.

Bob Price serves as associate editor and senior political news contributor for Breitbart Texas. He is a founding member of the Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX.