LAREDO, TEXAS – Border Patrol agents assigned to the Hebbronville Station prevented a large human smuggling attempt, after a bailout northwest of Bruni, Texas.
The incident occurred during the evening of July 24, when a pick-up truck hauling a livestock trailer approached the checkpoint on State Highway 359. The truck suddenly turned around and headed away from the checkpoint in an apparent attempt to avoid inspection. Agents followed the vehicle as it veered off the road through a fence into a nearby ranch.
As the vehicle and trailer came to an abrupt stop, the driver and passenger absconded into the nearby brush. Agents noticed that they were 37 individuals locked inside the livestock trailer with no means of escape. Several Border Patrol Agent Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) responded and evaluated all the individuals. None required further medical treatment. The apprehended individuals were found to be illegally present in the United States from the countries of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. The vehicle and trailer were seized by U.S. Border Patrol.
Human smugglers continue to show brazen disregard for human life by using increasingly dangerous methods in their smuggling attempts.
Despite the threat of the COVID 19 pandemic, Border Patrol agents will continue to prevent the flow of illegal immigration and exploitation by human smugglers.
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.
