MARFA, Texas – Last weekend was busy for Big Bend Sector agents who encountered human smuggling events, significant arrests, a narcotic seizure, and the recovery of an undocumented non-citizen.
Big Bend Sector agents apprehended more than 120 individuals involved in human smuggling schemes. The largest human smuggling attempt occurred in Sierra Blanca in which five vehicles were used to transport 30 undocumented non-citizens. Agents also seized over 230 pounds of marijuana from a vehicle that absconded from Border Patrol agents and crashed into a fence causing property damage to a local ranch. In Van Horn, agents recovered a deceased undocumented non-citizen who was transported to Lubbock, Texas for an autopsy.
During record checks of those apprehended in smuggling schemes, agents identified two undocumented non-citizens with criminal history. One individual, a national of Guatemala, was previously convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter in the state of California. The second individual, a national of Guatemala, was found guilty of Assault with Intent to Commit Sexual Assault and Indecent Exposure in the state of Iowa. Both undocumented non-citizens were accepted for prosecutions by Big Bend Sector prosecutions unit.
Big Bend Sector partners with many local and state law enforcement entities to keep our border communities safe. If you see something suspicious, report it by contacting our 24/7 hotline at
1-866-581-7549. Together, we can continue to uphold national security and combat illicit activity.
Honor First!