EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol (RGV) agents disrupted four human smuggling events and encountered two large groups resulting in 257 apprehensions.
On April 29, RGV agents working near Raymondville, initiated an immigration inspection on the occupants of a Chevrolet Silverado. The driver veered the vehicle off the road and into a ranch fence causing damage. All the occupants bailed out of the vehicle and ran into the nearby brush. Agents arrested 12 migrants illegally present in the U.S. without incident. The driver was not located.
Later that evening, Weslaco Border Patrol Station (WSL) camera operators observed several subjects cross the Rio Grande near Hidalgo. A flatbed work truck was also observed in the area. WSL agents attempted to initiate a vehicle stop on the truck, but the driver failed to yield, and a pursuit ensued. A CBP Air and Marine Operations helicopter assisted and advised agents the vehicle came to a stop and multiple subjects bailed out. Agents, with the aid of the helicopter, were able to apprehend a duffle bag with marijuana and six migrants who were all unlawfully present in the U.S. The marijuana weighed more than 34 lbs. with a street value of more than 18,000 USD. The driver was not located.
On May 1, RGV agents initiated a vehicle stop on the occupants of a Chevrolet Trailblazer and Chevrolet Colorado. Both vehicles failed to yield, and two vehicle pursuits ensued. Both drivers veered off the road and all subjects bailed out and absconded into nearby brush. Agents apprehended one of the drivers and five migrants determined to be in the U.S. illegally. The driver of the other vehicle was not located.
Later that evening, RGV agents were involved in a vehicle pursuit near San Manuel, where six noncitizens, including the driver, were apprehended after they fled in a Chevrolet Trailblazer. No property damage was reported during this event.
In addition, Rio Grande City Station agents encountered two large groups totaling 227 noncitizens in Starr County. The groups consisted of 103 single adults, 60 family members, and 64 unaccompanied children. The migrants are from Central and South America, Africa, and Cuba.
Border Patrol processed all subjects accordingly.
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~CBP~