LAREDO, Texas – The first event occurred on July 4, 2017, when agents assigned to the Laredo North Border Patrol Station were working their assigned duties at the Border Patrol Checkpoint on Interstate Highway 35 when they encountered a tractor trailer at the primary inspection lane. The driver was questioned regarding his immigration status and referred to secondary for further inspection of the vehicle. A non-intrusive inspection of the tractor-trailer resulted in the rescue of 10 illegal aliens inside the locked trailer. The 10 illegal aliens were determined to be from the countries of Mexico, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic. The driver, a Cuban National, was arrested.
The second event occurred on July 6, 2017, when Border Patrol agents were working their assigned duties at a ranch, west of Laredo, Texas. Border Patrol agents received a call from the Webb County Sheriff’s Office of subjects being lost in the remote ranchlands. With temperatures rising in the triple digits that day, Border Patrol agents along with the Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue Unit (BORSTAR) were able to rescue 6 illegal aliens that were lost after being abandoned by callous smugglers. The illegal aliens were rescued on time preventing further exposure to the unforgiven temperatures. The 6 illegal aliens were determined to be from the country of Mexico and in good health. All subjects were processed accordingly.
On that same day, Border Patrol agents from the Laredo West Station received a call of subjects lost in a ranch west of Laredo, Texas. Agents responded to the area to search for the lost subjects and they were able to rescue 13 illegal aliens that had been abandoned by callous smugglers before the scorching temperatures intensified. A Border Patrol agent certified as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) evaluated the subjects and all appeared to be in good health. A total of 13 illegal aliens were determined to be from the country of Mexico and were processed accordingly.
On July 7, 2017, Border Patrol agents encountered a white tractor-trailer near Tejas Loop in Laredo, Texas after observing suspicious activity. As they conducted a further inspection, Border Patrol agents discovered 72 illegal aliens concealed inside the locked trailer with no means of escape. As agents conducted further search of the area, they discovered 2 more subjects in a nearby vehicle, for a total of 74 subjects all determined to be illegally present in the country. All subjects were rescued on time and were determined to be in good health. The 74 illegal aliens were determined to be from the countries of Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, and El Salvador. Two drivers, both United States Citizens was arrested.
Later that morning, Border Patrol agents working their assigned duties west of Laredo, Texas heard voices coming from the rain gutters and manholes near the Mines Road area. As agents approached the area, they searched the gutters and manholes for a means of exit. Agents were able to rescue 8 illegal aliens that were trapped inside the drain pipe and determined to be in good health. A total of 8 illegal aliens were determined to be from the country of Ecuador and were processed accordingly.
"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
To report suspicious activity, call 1-800-343-1994.