EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol Agents and Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) Agents discovered an El Paso stash house containing 32 illegal aliens.
El Paso Border Patrol Agents suspecting a smuggling scheme encountered three illegal aliens near the El Paso International Airport. Their arrest led to the discovery of additional aliens crammed inside a stash house located in the Lower Valley. A U.S. citizen smuggler and aliens from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Cuba were arrested. A total of 36 persons were taken into custody.
The investigation revealed that the subjects may have entered the U.S. near Mt. Cristo Rey in Sunland Park, New Mexico.
Border Patrol Agents, joined by ICE-HSI, identified a stash house with 32 illegal aliens inside a Lower Valley apartment within the El Paso city limits,” stated El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez. “This incident demonstrates that our region is being exploited regularly by Transnational Criminal Organizations who continue to use humans for profit regardless of the inherent risks.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol while remaining anonymous by calling 1-800-635-2509.
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