MCALLEN, Texas— Agents from Customs and Border Protection’s McAllen Air and Marine Branch seized an airplane at the McAllen Miller International Airport that was in the process of smuggling seven illegal aliens on Sunday.
King Air aircraft seized by the McAllen Branch of the Office of Air and Marine.
“This is another example of the excellent work being done by the agents of the McAllen Air and Marine Branch to prevent the smuggling of people and drugs from the Rio Grande Valley into the interior of the United States,” said Director of Air Operations William Durham.
At about 11 a.m., agents from the McAllen Air and Marine Branch conducted an immigration inspection on a Beech King Air E90 airplane that was attempting to depart from the McAllen Miller International Airport. The inspecting agents determined that all seven passengers onboard the airplane were in the United States illegally.
The pilot, a United States citizen, was released pending further investigation, and the airplane was seized.
The Rio Grande Valley Sector is part of the Joint Task Force-West South Texas Corridor, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations. To report suspicious activity, call the sector’s toll-free telephone number at 800-863-9382.