EDINBURG, Texas – Vehicle stops by Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers led to the disruption of two human smuggling attempts in the Rio Grande Valley.
On Friday, Kingsville Border Patrol Station agents working at the Javier Vega Jr. Checkpoint, apprehended four migrants concealed in the cargo area of a Kia Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV). The discovery was made following a K9 alert on the SUV which warranted a secondary inspection. Agents identified the subjects as nationals of Honduras, all determined to be illegally present in the United States. The driver and subjects were taken into Border Patrol custody and processed accordingly.
Saturday morning, McAllen Border Patrol Station agents received information from a concerned citizen, regarding a red Lincoln Navigator loading up with possible noncitizens near Madero, Texas. Agents immediately responded to the area and observed the vehicle in question. Agents activated the emergency equipment of their marked service vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The driver refused to stop, and a pursuit ensued. The pursuit came to an end when the driver crashed into a residential fence, and several subjects were seen fleeing the vehicle. A search of the immediate area resulted in the apprehension of the driver and 12 migrants. The driver and vehicle were turned over to Texas DPS. The 12 migrants were taken into Border Patrol custody for processing.
Hours later, agents assigned to the Harlingen Border Patrol Station responded to a DPS bail out near Raymondville, Texas, on Highway 77. A DPS trooper attempted to stop a Ford Expedition after observing suspicious activity. The trooper was able to apprehend five subjects prior to agents arriving. Agents searched the immediate area however no other subjects could be located. Agents determined the five subjects were all illegally present in the United States. The vehicle was seized by DPS. The migrants were transported to the Harlingen Border Patrol Station to be processed.
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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