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  4. Smugglers Continue with Reckless Tactics in the Rio Grande Valley

Smugglers Continue with Reckless Tactics in the Rio Grande Valley

Release Date
Tue, 09/18/2018

EDINBURG, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents encountered three separate smuggling attempts that resulted in pursuits.  

Smugglers show no regard for human life in their tactics
Smugglers show no regard for human
life in their tactics

On Sunday, McAllen agents responded to a report of several subjects illegally entering the United States near Havana, Texas. When mobile units arrived, they observed a white Ford F-150 speeding out of the area. Agents attempted to conduct a traffic stop but the driver failed to yield and a pursuit ensued. During the pursuit, the driver exited the moving vehicle in an attempt to evade arrest. Agents apprehended the driver and discovered eight illegal aliens in the truck. No injuries were reported.

On Monday, Rio Grande Valley Sector agents assigned to the Special Operations Detachment witnessed several illegal aliens load into a vehicle near Havana, Texas. Mobile units located the vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver failed to yield and a pursuit ensued. A Trooper from the Department of Public Safety assisted agents. The driver eventually stopped, and all occupants bailed out. Agents apprehended six illegal aliens.

Later that day, agents responded to a report of a raft crossing the Rio Grande near Los Ebanos, Texas. Responding agents observed a white Suzuki sedan leave the area at a high rate of speed. Mobile units encountered the vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The driver refused to yield and a pursuit ensued. During the pursuit, the driver of the sedan veered into the median and drove against traffic before abandoning the vehicle and the other occupants. Agents jumped into the sedan, placed the vehicle in park and prevented an inevitable collision. Inside the vehicle, agents found four illegal aliens. 

Border Patrol is processing the 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!”   

Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter at @CBPRGV.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021