EDINBURG, Texas – Three failed human smuggling attempts lead to the arrest of 14 illegal aliens.
Saturday night, McAllen agents working near Sullivan City, Texas, conducted a vehicle stop on a gray Nissan sports utility vehicle traveling north towards U.S. Highway 83. As the agent approached the vehicle, he observed several subjects in the back seat attempting to hide. During the interview, agents determined all the passengers were from Guatemala illegally present in the United States. Agents placed the driver and occupants under arrest. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a loaded Glock firearm in a bag belonging to the driver. Agents transported everyone to the station for processing.
The following morning, Brownsville agents observed a silver Dodge Caravan driving in an area known for human smuggling. Moments later, agents arrested five illegal aliens after they observed them running north of the border fence and towards the van. A subsequent vehicle stop of the Dodge Caravan led to the arrest of the driver who admitted to being a Mexican national in the U.S. illegally. All the subjects were transported to the station for processing.
A few minutes later, the Sullivan City Police Department (SCPD) contacted the McAllen station and requested their assistance after they conducted a vehicle stop on a Ford Mustang containing five occupants. Agents determined three of the subjects were Mexican nationals illegally present in the United States. Border Patrol transported the illegal aliens to the station for processing. SCPD took custody of the driver and a passenger.
Border Patrol processed the cases accordingly.
The Rio Grande Valley Sector currently has multiple campaigns focused on rescues and danger awareness, such as “Operation Big Rig” and “No Se Arriesgue” to combat smuggling and ultimately save lives. Call 911 to report suspicious activity; “They’re humans, not cargo!”
The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and report suspicious activity at 800-863-9382
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Even with the spread of the COVID-19 virus, human smugglers continue to try these brazen attempts with zero regard for the lives they endanger nor to the health of the citizens of our great nation. The U.S. Border Patrol agents of the Rio Grande Valley Sector will continue to safeguard the nation and community against these criminal elements.
Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter @CBPRGV, @USBPChiefRGV and @USBPDepChiefRGV.