SARITA, Texas –With the help of a K-9, Border Patrol agents assigned to the Javier Vega, Jr. Checkpoint in Sarita, Texas, assisted Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in stopping a potentially dangerous human smuggling attempt.
On Wednesday, Border Patrol agents were alerted by HSI that an investigation led them to believe a cargo vehicle loaded with illegal aliens would attempt to travel through the checkpoint. The suspect vehicle arrived at the primary inspection lane for an immigration inspection at the Javier Vega, Jr. Checkpoint where a service K-9 alerted. During a secondary inspection, agents discovered 25 subjects. They were found inside the cargo area that had a temperature of nearly 100 degrees. The subjects were from the countries of Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico. All subjects were illegally present in the United States.
The case remains under investigation.
In a separate incident at the Javier Vega, Jr. Checkpoint, Border Patrol agents referred a vehicle to secondary inspection following a K-9 alert. During the subsequent search, agents discovered 450 Xanax pills and a loaded firearm. The case was referred to local authorities for investigation.
The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and report suspicious activity at 800-863-9382
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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.
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