DEL RIO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Eagle Pass South Station arrested three United States citizens for attempting to smuggle three illegal aliens in the trunk of their vehicle through the U.S. Highway 57 immigration checkpoint.
“This case is another perfect example of the dangerous conditions human smugglers force upon illegal aliens. I commend the hard work and dedication of our agents in saving these immigrants from further exploitation and potential loss of life,” said Del Rio Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Matthew J. Hudak.
On Sept. 29, agents discovered three illegal aliens in the trunk of a vehicle during an immigration inspection. The three subjects were arrested and transported to the Eagle Pass South Station and processed per U.S. Customs and Border Protection guidelines.
The driver and two other passengers all face prosecution for 8 USC § 1324 – Alien Smuggling, which carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
All individuals apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol undergo criminal history checks utilizing multiple databases including the use of biometrics to ensure those with criminal history are positively identified regardless of their immigration status.
The Del Rio Border Patrol Sector is part of the Joint Task Force-West South Texas Corridor, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations. To report suspicious activity call the Del Rio Sector’s toll free number at 1-866-511-8727.