LAREDO, TEXAS – Border Patrol agents stop two human smuggling attempts during a span of a few hours.
The first incident occurred late in the evening hours of March 3, when a red tractor hauling a white trailer approached the Interstate Highway 35 checkpoint north of Laredo. During an immigration inspection of the driver, a service canine alerted to the trailer. Agents opened the trailer and discovered 57 individuals, all illegally present in the United States from the countries of Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Ecuador, Peru and Mexico. The individuals and the driver, a U.S. Citizen, were taken into custody pending investigation. The case was turned over to HSI.
The second incident occurred during the early hours of March 4, when agents assigned to the checkpoint on U.S. Highway 83 encountered a cargo truck northwest of Laredo. During an immigration inspection, a service canine alerted to the vehicle. Agents discovered 24 individuals inside the cargo area. The individuals were from the countries of Guatemala and Mexico and found to be illegally present in the United States.
Agents arrested the driver, a United States Citizen, and the individuals found in the vehicles. The truck was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol and the case was turned over to HSI.
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.