LAREDO, TEXAS – A law enforcement action between the U.S. Border Patrol and the Laredo Police Department (LPD) leads to the closing of a stash house and numerous arrests in Laredo.
The incident occurred on the afternoon of October 29, when agents from the Laredo North Station responded to a request for assistance from the LPD regarding a report of suspicious activity at a home on San Bernardo Avenue. LPD officers obtained consent to search the residence. Upon entering the property, LPD officers and agents discovered 68 individuals inside. None were wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and were medically screened at the scene. They were determined to be illegally in the United States from the countries of Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. They were taken into custody by the U.S. Border Patrol. Investigation into the harboring case was turned over to Special Agents of Homeland Security Investigations.
Once again, a large group of individuals is discovered being housed in close quarters without PPE, increasing the potential of COVID-19 infection. This practice not only endangers the people being smuggled, but the safety of our communities and our nation. The Laredo Sector Border Patrol continues to encourage members of our community to take a stand against these acts and report suspicious activity. With your help, we can stem the spread of the pandemic and prevent the flow of illegal immigration into our country.
This cooperative action between agencies is crucial to the U.S. Border Patrol’s strategic objective to target criminal networks. By developing partnerships with our law enforcement counterparts, we can prosecute violators of the law who exploit people for profit and disregard the safety of our neighborhoods. Laredo Sector Chief Patrol Agent Matthew Hudak stated, “The criminal activity associated with stash houses creates a danger and a health risk for neighboring residents. This case highlights the cooperative effort of law enforcement agencies here in Laredo. By working together, we are able to better enforce the law and protect our community and communities throughout the country from COVID-19 and other dangerous threats.”
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. If you see something, please say something. You can also follow us on our social media platforms on Twitter and Instagram @usbpchieflrt and @usbpdepchieflrt and on Facebook at US Border Patrol Laredo Sector.