LAREDO, Texas – In a busy holiday weekend, Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents continued to locate and render aid to several lost individuals throughout Webb County.
The first incident occurred during the morning of July 3, when agents from the Laredo South Station received a report of an individual lost east of the city. The disoriented individual had been abandoned by the group he was traveling with. Department of Defense Air Support (DOD), along with agents from the Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue (BORSTAR) and Border Patrol Mobile Response Teams, were dispatched to the area, and quickly located the individual. Agents immediately administered intravenous (IV) fluids since the subject was displaying dehydration symptoms. The individual, a Mexican citizen in the country illegally, was processed accordingly.
The second incident occurred early in the morning of July 4, after agents from the Laredo West Station apprehended several individuals on a ranch northwest of Laredo. Agents were informed by the group of an individual in distress who had been left behind. Agents, along with Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations units and Border Patrol Emergency Medical Technicians, responded to the reported area and quickly located the individual. He was determined to be a Mexican citizen in the country illegally and was also administered IV fluids. After he responded favorably to medical aid, he was taken into custody and processed accordingly.
Finally, during the early morning of July 6, agents received a call from an individual who was lost in the brush east of Laredo near U.S. Highway 59. The caller stated he was out of food and water. He further stated that a travel companion of his had passed away the previous evening. Agents, along with BORSTAR agents and DOD air support, responded to the area and located the two individuals. The caller, a Mexican citizen in the country illegally, was in good health. A Webb County Medical Investigator arrived on scene and confirmed the other individual as deceased and recovered the body.
The Laredo Sector Border Patrol cannot stress enough the dangers and risks posed by illegal entry and the traveling through remote areas during the high temperatures of summer. Despite the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic, Laredo Sector agents will continue to render aid to those exploited and abandoned by human smugglers.
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.
