LAREDO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Laredo North Station stopped a human smuggling attempt and recovered a stolen vehicle on the west access road of Interstate Highway 35 (I-35) north of Laredo.
The event occurred during the late evening of August 9, when agents received a report of a pickup truck pulling a horse trailer, possibly involved in a human smuggling attempt, traveling north on I-35,. Agents spotted the vehicle on the west access road of I-35 and conducted a vehicle stop near mile marker 32. As the vehicle came to a stop, the driver and several individuals bailed from the pickup truck, ran east across I-35, and attempted to abscond into the nearby brush.
total of 22 undocumented aliens after conducting a
vehicle stop on a pickup truck hauling a horse trailer
and several aliens attempted to abscond into the
brush.
Agents discovered two individuals in a crawl space under a toolbox in the bed of the vehicle along with 16 additional individuals in the horse trailer. Agents were also able to apprehend four of the individuals who had attempted to abscond in the brush.
A total of 22 individuals were apprehended who were illegally present in the United States from the countries of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. They were taken into custody pending investigation. The pickup truck was found to have been reported stolen from New Braunfels, Texas and was subsequently turned over to the Webb County Sheriff’s Office. U.S. Border Patrol seized the horse trailer.
Despite the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, smugglers continue to endanger the lives of individuals they exploit and the health and safety of our nation. It is the mission of U.S. Border Patrol agents to protect the American people, safeguard our borders, and enhance the nation’s economic prosperity. Laredo Sector agents’ core values are to maintain vigilance as they provide service with integrity.
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 and follow us on our social media platforms on Twitter and Instagram @usbpchieflrt and @usbpdepchieflrt and on Facebook at US Border Patrol Laredo Sector.