LAREDO, Texas – On January 26, 2018, agents at the Border Patrol Checkpoint on north Highway 83 encountered a tractor-trailer at the primary lane. The driver was questioned regarding his immigration status and was referred to secondary for further inspection. Upon further inspection, Border Patrol agents discovered 76 illegal aliens inside the trailer. The 76 illegal aliens were found in good health. The 76 subjects were determined to be from the countries of Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. Thirteen unaccompanied alien children were among those rescued in this event. The driver, a United States Citizen, was arrested and the tractor-trailer was seized by Border Patrol.
“These criminal organizations view these individuals as mere commodities without regard for their safety. The blatant disregard for human life will not be tolerated. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle these organizations and prosecute those responsible,” said Laredo Sector Assistant Chief Patrol Agent Gabriel Acosta.
The Laredo Sector Border Patrol will continue to warn against the dangers of people crossing illegally into the United States through dangerous environmental conditions. Our Border Safety Initiative (BSI) is a humanitarian, bi-national strategy designed to reduce illegal alien deaths, educate and inform potential illegal aliens of the dangers and hazards of crossing the border illegally, and to respond to those who are in life-threatening situations.
To report suspicious activity such as alien and/or drug smuggling, contact the Laredo Sector Border Patrol toll free telephone number at 1-800-343-1994.