CHAPARRAL, N.M. – Continuing a recent trend, U.S. Border Patrol Agents, Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) Agents and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Deportation Officers (ICE-DO) discovered a Chaparral stash house containing almost 50 illegal aliens this past weekend.
El Paso Border Patrol Agents suspecting a smuggling scheme encountered seven illegal aliens near the El Paso International Airport. The information provided by the illegal aliens led to the discovery of 48 additional aliens crowded inside a stash house located in Chaparral, New Mexico. A lawfully admitted permanent resident smuggler and his wife, along with aliens from Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico were arrested. A total of 57 people were taken into custody.
The stash house discovery comes on the heels of a recent take down last month where 32 persons were found inside of an El Paso stash house in the Lower Valley.
“Border Patrol Agents, joined by HSI and ICE-DO identified a stash house with 48 illegal aliens inside a Chaparral, New Mexico residence,” stated El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez. “This incident demonstrates the continued exploitation by transnational criminal organizations who repeatedly use humans for profit regardless of the inherent risks including the potential for the spread of COVID-19 during the ongoing pandemic.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol while remaining anonymous by calling 1-800-635-2509.
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