LAREDO, Texas – In just over 24 hours, Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents and law enforcement partners shut down seven stash houses throughout Laredo.
The first stash house was found Tuesday afternoon when agents assigned the Laredo South Station (LRS), Laredo Sector Special Operations Detachment (SOD), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Laredo Police Department (LPD) investigated a possible stash house. Officers made contact with the occupants and discovered three individuals who were in the country illegally.
The second incident occurred later that evening when agents assigned to LRS and SOD responded to a call for assistance from LPD regarding a possible stash house on Garza Street. LPD made contact with occupants of the residence and a further search of the property resulted in the apprehension of 32 individuals. The individuals were identified as being illegally present in the United States.
Rio Bravo after LRS agents responded to call for
assistance by WCSO and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
On the property, 19 individuals were found to be illegally
present in the country.
The third stash house was discovered Wednesday morning in central Laredo after LPD made contact with the occupants of the residence. LRS agents responded and a search of the property resulted in the apprehension of 14 individuals who were in the United States illegally.
The fourth incident occurred later that morning in central Laredo when Webb County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) requested assistance from Laredo North agents after they encountered 22 individuals at a residence where they served a warrant. All individuals were found to be illegally in the country.
The fifth stash house was found just before noon in Rio Bravo after LRS agents responded to call for assistance by WCSO and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). On the property, 19 individuals were found to be illegally present in the country.
Wednesday afternoon, seven individuals were apprehended by Laredo Sector agents with the assistance of Webb County Constables Precinct 2 (WCCP2) in Central Laredo. The individuals were found to be in illegally in the country.
The last stash house was found later in the evening by Laredo Sector agents, HSI, and WCCP2 in south Laredo after receiving reports of suspicious activity at a residence. A total of 22 individuals who were found to be illegally in the country were apprehended in this stash house.
The individuals were identified as nationals of Bolivia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. None of the individuals were wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) when found. The individuals were provided PPE and were medically screened then processed accordingly.
Stash houses continue to be a threat to national security and to the citizens of our nation not only because of their use by criminal organizations but they are also a danger to the people they exploit by concealing them in dilapidated close quarters such as these.
The cooperation between our local law enforcement partners in our communities continue to have a great impact to the criminal element, making our communities safer. Help us to take a stand against these criminal organizations and potentially dangerous acts 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. If you see something, say something.