LAREDO, TEXAS – Border Patrol agents assigned to the Laredo North Station halted a human smuggling attempt involving a vehicle that tried to circumvent the Border Patrol checkpoints on Interstate Highway 35 and U.S. Highway 83 (US-83) north of Laredo.
The incident began during the midafternoon of November 6, when agents responded to an alert of a suspicious pickup truck driving through a ranch just east of US-83. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations (AMO) located the vehicle as it traveled through the private property. When the occupants of the vehicle observed the aircraft, several individuals bailed and attempted to abscond into the nearby brush. Agents quickly responded to the area and apprehended 12 individuals who were in the United States illegally.
AMO continued to follow the pickup as it exited the ranch onto US-83. Agents performed a vehicle stop and took the driver, a U.S. citizen juvenile, into custody pending further investigation.
The 12 individuals were determined to be from the countries of Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador. They were all processed accordingly. U.S. Border Patrol seized the pickup truck used in the attempt.
U.S. Border Patrol agents of the Laredo Sector will continue to stand at the ready to secure the Nation’s borders, prevent the flow of illegal immigration, slow the spread of COVID-19, and uphold the agency’s Core Values of Vigilance, Service, and Integrity.
To report suspicious activity such as alien and/or drug smuggling, download the “USBP Laredo Sector” App or contact the Laredo Sector Border Patrol toll free at 1-800-343-1994. If you see something, please say something. You can also follow us on our social media platforms on Twitter and Instagram @usbpchieflrt and @usbpdepchieflrt and on Facebook at US Border Patrol Laredo Sector.