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FBI Says Four Men Arrested in Portland for Shining Laser at Border Patrol Helicopter Are Illegal Aliens

Tyler James
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illegal aliens arrested in Portland, Oregon for shining laser at helicopter

PORTLAND, Ore. — A routine night patrol over Portland skies turned dangerous last weekend when a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) helicopter was struck by a laser beam, temporarily threatening the safety of the pilot and crew.

Federal officials say the laser originated from a Portland residence on the evening of September 27, 2025, while the helicopter was conducting law enforcement operations. The FBI Portland Division obtained a search warrant, and when agents raided the residence, they not only arrested the person believed to have aimed the laser, but also three additional men found inside.

All four were determined to be illegal aliens and taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Enforcement and Removal Operations.

Authorities identified the suspects as:

  • Diogenes Albores-Suchiapa, previously arrested in Gresham for unlawful methamphetamine possession and criminal trespass, and stopped by CBP multiple times for immigration violations.
  • Andres Brian Lopez-Labra, with a history of unlawful entry and a recent Oregon State Police DUI arrest.
  • Benito Zamora-Alvarez, who has reportedly been living in the U.S. illegally since 1994.
  • Hector Miranda Mendoza, also in the country illegally.

During the raid, agents recovered the laser device believed to have been used in the attack.

Image Credit: FBI Portland Division

Federal officials stressed the severity of the incident. “These four illegal aliens endangered the lives of our CBP personnel, the safety of every other aircraft in flight during the time and put everyone on the ground in immediate danger. DHS law enforcement is facing a 1,000% increase in attacks against them,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin of the Department of Homeland Security.

The FBI Portland Division echoed that stance in a statement, adding: “The federal government will not tolerate violence against federal officers, nor will we tolerate assaults on personal, commercial, or government aircraft.”

Aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft is a federal crime for good reason. Pilots can be blinded in an instant, putting not just their lives but everyone below them at risk. In this case, one reckless decision exposed the public to unnecessary danger — and led to the removal of four men who were already in the country unlawfully.

For Portland, a city often in the national spotlight for clashes involving federal officers, the arrests are another reminder that reckless stunts don’t just end in headlines — they end in handcuffs.

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Written By Tyler James

Tyler James was born in Oregon and founded That Oregon Life in 2013 after finding peace and a renewed sense of purpose in the state’s forests, mountains, and coastline. What started as a personal connection to the outdoors became a way to help others discover new places, support local businesses, and appreciate Oregon’s quirks. He writes about local history, outdoor adventures, good food, and the occasional bit of satire, or whatever catches his attention before the coffee wears off.

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