EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol (RGV) agents disrupted four migrant smuggling attempts resulting in 23 arrests.
On Feb. 22 in the early morning, RGV agents working near San Manuel, Texas, attempted to initiate an immigration inspection on the occupants of a Nissan Titan. The driver failed to yield and led the agents on a vehicle pursuit. The truck drove through a ranch perimeter fence before the occupants bailed out of the vehicle. Agents searched the surrounding area and encountered seven noncitizens. The driver was not located.
Approximately two hours later, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers requested assistance from McAllen Border Patrol Station agents regarding a failure to yield on a Chevrolet Venture near Penitas, Texas. After the vehicle came to a stop, the driver and passenger, both U.S. citizen juveniles, attempted to abscond but were apprehended shortly after. Agents determined the seven passengers that had remained in the vehicle were illegally present in the United States. The migrants are citizens of Guatemala and Mexico. DPS took custody of the driver and passenger to face state charges.
Later in the day, RGV agents received an anonymous tip regarding possible migrants being harbored at a motel in Alamo, Texas. RGV agents observed one subject with three possible migrants exit one of the rooms and depart in a vehicle. With the assistance from the Alamo Police Department, a vehicle stop was conducted, and agents apprehended four migrants who were illegally present in the United States.
On Feb. 23, RGV agents attempted to conduct a vehicle stop on a GMC Sierra on U.S. Highway 281 near San Manuel. The driver refused to stop, and a pursuit ensued. The pursuit came to an end when the driver collided through a perimeter fence gate and multiple subjects were seen absconding from the vehicle. Agents were able to apprehend four noncitizens. No injuries were reported.
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~CBP~