EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol (RGV) agents team up with local law enforcement agencies to thwart human smuggling attempts.
Shortly after midnight on Saturday, Corpus Christi Border Patrol Station agents observed several subjects walking along a trail on the north side of the Port Mansfield Cut. Soon after, agents observed two vehicles driving towards the subjects. Agents intercepted the vehicles and apprehended four individuals determined to be illegally present in the United States. The migrants were identified as citizens of China and Mexico.
Hours later, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) performed a vehicle stop on a Chevrolet Silverado at the Love’s Truck Stop on Highway 281 and Monte Cristo Road. The trooper advised the Weslaco Border Patrol Station of eleven subjects detained in the vehicle. Border Patrol agents arrived at the location and determined that everyone inside the vehicle were migrants illegally present in the United States, to include the driver. Border Patrol took custody of all subjects.
Almost at the same time as the incident at the truck stop, another DPS trooper attempted to stop a Ford F250 driving north on Highway 281. The vehicle came to a stop near Trenton Road and several subjects were seen exiting the vehicle. Weslaco Border Patrol Station agents responded to assist and discovered fourteen illegally present migrants. The driver absconded into the nearby area. Border Patrol took custody of the migrants.
Saturday afternoon, Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call from a person trapped inside a Mission, Texas, residence. Deputies arrived at the residence and made entry when they noticed multiple subjects in distress inside. McAllen Border Patrol Station agents arrived and discovered 34 migrants, including 2 unaccompanied children, being held in the home. No caretaker was identified. Border Patrol took custody of all subjects.
Border Patrol processed all subjects accordingly.
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.