EDINBURG, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley continue to lead the nation in illegal alien apprehensions.
On Tuesday evening, agents working at the Falfurrias Border Patrol Checkpoint referred a tractor-trailer to the secondary inspection area to check inside the tractor. At secondary, agents discovered 10 illegal aliens concealed throughout the cabin. Agents arrested the driver and the 10 subjects and escorted them into the checkpoint for processing.
The following day, McAllen agents in Mission, Texas, witnessed multiple subjects running away from the river levee, heading toward Military Highway. A nearby Air and Marine air asset responded and observed a Ford F-150 leave the area at a high rate of speed. Agents relayed information to the Palmview Police Department who located the vehicle traveling south on Inspiration Road. The vehicle attempted to return to the river levee but stopped after the vehicle could no longer travel through the muddy road. The driver, along with two other passengers, abandoned the vehicle and ran toward the Rio Grande. Inside the vehicle, agents discovered 10 illegal aliens and located another nearby.
Just yesterday, Rio Grande Valley Sector agents working near McCook, Texas, observed a suspicious white Chevrolet pickup near FM 490 and FM 681. As an agent attempted to get a closer look at the vehicle, the truck accelerated and traveled onto a private ranch, crashing through a several gates. Agents followed the vehicle tracks and discovered the wrecked pickup abandoned. With the assistance of an Air and Marine air asset, agents found 10 illegal aliens hiding throughout the property.
Border Patrol processed the cases and subjects 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.
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.