LAREDO, Texas – The dangerous practice by human smugglers and undocumented individuals using grain hopper railcars to further their dangerous journey into the United States continue to be discovered by Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents.
During the early morning of June 22, agents assigned to the Hebbronville Station conducted a train inspection in Hebbronville, Texas and discovered an unlatched grain hopper railcar. At the bottom of the grain hopper, agents found 15 individuals. Another individual was apprehended as he tried to conceal himself in a separate railcar. The individuals were found to be in the United States illegally from the country of Mexico. All were medically evaluated by Border Patrol Emergency Medical Technicians and cleared for processing.
This dangerous method of traveling further into the United States after illegal entry is strongly discouraged as it often results in serious injury or death. Many times, migrants choose this grueling method of transportation without realizing the consequences of their actions until it is too late. Fortunately, in this case, agents detected the individuals and were able to rescue them before any fell victim to a heat related injury.
For anyone who is thinking of entering the United States illegally along the Southern Border, the message in simple: don’t do it. Help take a stand against criminal organizations who exploit undocumented individuals by reporting suspicious activity in our neighborhoods. To report suspicious activity such as human and/or drug smuggling, download the “USBP Laredo Sector” App or contact the Laredo Sector Border Patrol toll free at 1-800-343-1994.