EDINBURG, Texas – Since Wednesday, agents thwarted eight human smuggling attempts that led to the arrest of seven human smugglers and 53 illegal aliens.
On Wednesday morning, McAllen agents working near La Joya, Texas, observed several suspected illegal aliens load up into a Ford F-150 parked along U.S. Highway 83. As agents responded to the area, the vehicle traveled north on Farm to Market Road 2221 until coming to a stop at a La Joya ISD compound where the vehicle was abandoned. With the assistance of the La Joya Police Department, agents arrested the United States citizen (USC) driver and nine illegal aliens from the countries of Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador.
A while later, Weslaco agents responded to a report of suspected illegal activity south of Alamo, Texas. Agents observed a Chevrolet sedan leaving the area at a high rate of speed. Agents attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the sedan, but the driver refused to yield and a pursuit ensued. During the pursuit, the vehicle pulled over on the side of the road and allowed the passengers to exit before driving off again. Agents relayed information to the Alamo Police Department (APD) who engaged the sedan in a brief pursuit before the driver lost control and rolled over, striking a chain link fence. APD took custody of the USC driver. Agents returned to the drop off area and located the passengers. Agent identified the seven subjects as illegal aliens and took them into custody.
Later that night, National Guard personnel performing observation duties near Mission, Texas, advised agents that they witnessed several suspected illegal aliens load into a maroon Lincoln Navigator parked near Bentsen State Park. As the agents responded, they encountered the vehicle traveling north on Bentsen Road and attempted to conduct a vehicle stop. The driver failed to yield and continued traveling northbound for a short distance until abruptly pulling over the side of the road. Agents reported multiple subjects, including the driver, attempted to abscond into the nearby brush. After a thorough search of the brush, agents arrested the USC driver and eight illegal aliens from Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador.
In the last three days, agents foiled an additional five human smuggling attempts that led to the arrest of four drivers and 29 illegal aliens.
Border Patrol processed the cases and subjects accordingly.
The Rio Grande Valley Sector currently has multiple campaigns focused on rescues and danger awareness, such as “Operation Big Rig” and “No Se Arriesgue” to combat smuggling and ultimately save lives. Call 911 to report suspicious activity; “They’re humans, not cargo!”
Even with the spread of the COVID-19 virus, human smugglers continue to try these brazen attempts with zero regard for the lives they endanger nor to the health of the citizens of our great nation. The U.S. Border Patrol agents of the Rio Grande Valley Sector will continue to safeguard the nation and community against these criminal elements.
Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter @CBPRGV, @USBPChiefRGV and @USBPDepChiefRGV.