Cooperation Leads To Arrest Of Convicted Aggravated Felon
Del Rio, Texas - U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Del Rio Station arrested two human smugglers after intercepting a human smuggling attempt, May 20.
“With effective cooperation between our law enforcement partners, our reach to disrupt their dangerous activities is greatly enhanced.” said Del Rio Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Doyle E. Amidon Jr., “Collaboration continues to be an invaluable key to our success in capturing these dangerous criminals.”
Border Patrol agents working along Vega Verde Road conducted a vehicle stop on a 2004 GMC Yukon. As the vehicle stopped, approximately 16 people fled and ran toward the Rio Grande River. With assistance from a CBP Air and Marine Operations helicopter crew, agents on scene were able to apprehend two United States citizens and one Mexican national, illegally present in the U.S.
With the remainder of the group fleeing back into Mexico, the Del Rio Sector Foreign Operations Branch coordinated with the Government of Mexico to have Mexican law enforcement conduct a patrol in an attempt to capture those who fled. This timely coordination led to GOM officials encountering the subjects and turning them over to civil services in Ciudad Acuna, Coahuila, Mexico.
A search of the vehicle and suspects revealed a Ruger .380-caliber firearm with ammunition, and drug paraphernalia.
The driver, was identified as a 24-year-old U.S. citizen with a previous felony conviction for felon in possession of a firearm.
All illegal aliens are processed in accordance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection guidelines. Smugglers face a felony charge of 8 USC § 1324 - alien smuggling - and if convicted could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.