EDINBURG, Texas – Border Patrol agents encountered and impeded two separate human smuggling attempts over a two day period, one at a checkpoint and one during an attempted vehicle stop.
On March 25, 2020, agents received a report of a sedan loading illegal aliens near Los Ebanos, Texas. When agents arrived and attempted to initiate a vehicle stop, the driver disregarded the agents emergency equipment and sped away at a high rate of speed. The sedan stopped at a local business and four subjects exited the vehicle. The subjects attempted to hide in nearby brush. After a coordinated effort, an Air and Marine Operations asset, Texas DPS Troopers, La Joya PD officers, and agents assigned to the McAllen station arrested the driver and the four passengers. An unloaded firearm was also discovered in the vehicle.
Less than 24 hours later, a Nissan Pathfinder was referred to secondary inspection following a K-9 alert at the Falfurrias Checkpoint. During the inspection, two illegal aliens from Mexico and Guatemala were discovered in a luggage compartment on the roof of the vehicle. One of the smuggled subjects was an unaccompanied minor from Guatemala.
The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and to help save lives by reporting suspicious activity at 800-863-9382
.
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!”
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.