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Child smuggler arrested in the Rio Grande Valley

Release Date
Tue, 06/26/2018

FALFURRIAS, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a woman attempting to smuggle an unaccompanied child past the checkpoint.

On Saturday, June 23, agents assigned to the Falfurrias Checkpoint referred a 2013 Dodge Durango to the secondary inspection area to further inspect documents presented. The driver, a United States citizen, claimed the documents were birth certificates for both of her children in the vehicle. It was later discovered that one of the children, an eight year old Honduran national, is an undocumented alien who was not related to the driver, or the other child. The driver was placed under arrest.

“It is truly concerning when a child is encountered unaccompanied in the hands of a smuggler,” said Chief Patrol Agent Manuel Padilla, Jr. “It is equally frustrating when a smuggler uses their juvenile child as an accessory to commit such a crime.”

This case is currently under investigation.

The Rio Grande Valley Sector currently has multiple campaigns focused on rescues and danger awareness, such as “Operation Big Rig” and “No Se Arriesgue” to combat smuggling and ultimately save lives.   

Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter at @CBPRGV.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021