LAREDO, Texas – On June 8, 2018, Agents assigned to the Laredo Sector Border Patrol Checkpoint on Highway 83, north of Laredo, Texas encountered a 2000 Peterbilt Semi-tractor driven by a United States Citizen.
During the immigration inspection Border Patrol Agents noticed the driver’s nervous posture and behavior. At this time, the semi-truck was referred to secondary inspection where agents discovered six illegal aliens hiding in the cabin of the tractor. After interviewing the subjects, it was determined that they were all from the country of Brazil.
“The criminal element has no regard for the safety of our country. These people could easily have been terrorists entering to cause harm. The United States Border Patrol is committed to disrupting and dismantling these organizations,” said Laredo Sector Assistant Chief Patrol Agent Gabriel Acosta.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is the lead investigative agency in this case.
Border Patrol Agents throughout the South Texas Corridor have disrupted numerous tractor-trailer human smuggling cases, often resulting in the rescue of individuals who are placed in life-threatening situations. The United States Border Patrol in South Texas has taken a proactive approach in mitigating this smuggling trend through the implementation of Operation Big Rig. Operation Big Rig is a call to action by everyone to call 911 if they see or are aware of smuggling or suspicious activity of any kind.
To report suspicious activity such as alien and/or drug smuggling, contact the Laredo Sector Border Patrol toll free at 1-800-343-1994.