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CBP Officers Seize 14 Pounds of Cocaine at the Ysleta Port of Entry

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CBP Officers Seize 14 Pounds of Cocaine at the Ysleta Port of Entry
Cocaine filled drug bundles.USCBP Image

Texas Border Business

EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Ysleta border crossing in El Paso, Texas intercepted 14 pounds of cocaine in a failed smuggling attempt.

“CBP uses a layered enforcement approach to identify and stop drug smuggling at the border,” said CBP Ysleta Port Director Arnoldo Gomez. “CBP officer expertise, canines, and technology all are important elements in stemming the flow of contraband.”

On August 17, CBP officers assigned to the Ysleta border crossing encountered a 28-year-old female Mexican citizen arriving from Mexico via the vehicle lanes. A CBP officer referred the female for a secondary inspection of the vehicle which included screening by a CBP canine and a non-intrusive inspection (x-ray). After conducting a thorough secondary examination, CBP officers located multiple bundles concealed within the vehicle containing a total of 14.7 pounds of cocaine.

The subject was arrested and turned over to the El Paso County Sheriff’s office to face charges.

Dangerous Migrants Arrested in the RGV

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Dangerous Migrants Arrested in the RGV
 This week, Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents arrested 17 gang members, a sex offender, and a migrant previously convicted of murder. USCBP Image for illustration purposes
 This week, Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents arrested 17 gang members, a sex offender, and a migrant previously convicted of murder. USCBP Image for illustration purposes

Texas Border Business

EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents arrested 17 gang members, a sex offender, and a migrant previously convicted of murder.    

On August 17, Rio Grande City Border Patrol Station agents apprehended three migrants in Roma. Record checks on a Salvadoran national revealed he is a Mara-Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang member and with extensive criminal history, to include convictions for carjacking, robbery, and immigration offenses and has been sentenced to more than five years incarceration for his crimes.

The previous day, McAllen Border Patrol Station (MCS) agents conducted record checks on a Mexican national, who was apprehended with a group of three migrants in Havana. Criminal history revealed he was convicted of murder in Minnesota in 2017. The subject was sentenced to 103 months incarceration.

The same day, Kingsville Border Patrol Station agents apprehended a Mexican national attempting to circumvent the immigration checkpoint. He was sentenced to 36 months incarceration for fondling a child, an aggravated felony.  

Additionally, RGV agents apprehended 16 other gang members associated to MS-13, 18th Street, Mexican Mafia, or Paisas gangs.  

All subjects were processed accordingly. 

CBP Officers Seize over $80K in Cocaine and Meth

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CBP Officers Seize over $80K in Cocaine and Meth
Package containing 235 grams of methamphetamine seized by CBP officers at Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. USCBP Image
Package containing 235 grams of methamphetamine seized by CBP officers at Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. USCBP Image

Texas Border Business

HIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge intercepted $81,000 worth of alleged cocaine and methamphetamine in two separate incidents.  

“Our CBP officers used teamwork, experience and attention to detail to thwart these smuggling attempts,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.

On August 16, 2022, CBP officers assigned to the Hidalgo International Bridge encountered a 37-year-old U.S. citizen woman making entry from Mexico on foot. The woman was selected for inspection where anomalies were noticed on her person. She was immediately secured and escorted to the secure area where officers discovered one package hidden on her person. A total of .24 pounds (235.4 grams) of alleged methamphetamine and was removed from her person. She also had a bottle of Alprazolam, a controlled substance, hidden on her person.

On August 17, 2022, CBP officers assigned to the Hidalgo International Bridge encountered a grey Jeep SUV driven by a 18 year old U.S. citizen man making entry from Mexico. The vehicle was selected for inspection utilizing non-intrusive inspection (NII) equipment and screening by a (canine team). After physically inspecting the vehicle, officers extracted four packages weighing 9.56 pounds (4.34 kg) of alleged cocaine concealed within the vehicle.

CBP OFO arrested the individuals, seized the narcotics, and the cases remain under investigation by special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI).

Unaccompanied Child Imposters Identified in El Paso

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Unaccompanied Child Imposters Identified in El Paso
U.S. Border Patrol Agents in the El Paso Sector recently identified 10 adults posing as unaccompanied minors while in custody. USCB Image for illustration purposes
U.S. Border Patrol Agents in the El Paso Sector recently identified 10 adults posing as unaccompanied minors while in custody. USCB Image for illustration purposes

Texas Border Business

EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol Agents in the El Paso Sector recently identified 10 adults posing as unaccompanied minors while in custody.

Three adults posing as minors were discovered by agents at the El Paso Sector Central Processing Center while attempting to use counterfeit documentation. These individuals were from Guatemala and include a 21-year-old female, a 22-year-old female and a 22-year-old male. The three were part of a group of 13 migrants encountered by agents of El Paso Station on August 16. The three were encountered, along with nine unaccompanied children from Guatemala and one adult. These individuals pose as minors in order to avoid expulsion.   

On August 17, agents assigned to the CPC discovered three males from Guatemala intentionally posing as minors. The individuals, 26-year-old, 25-year-old, and 18-year-old were part of a group of nine migrants that illegally entered the United States and were encountered by agents from El Paso Station. The individuals were questioned at the CPC after agents detected discrepancies between their story and the documentation they presented to pass as minors.

A third significant event occurred when agents assigned to Ysleta Station discovered a group of eight unaccompanied minors from Guatemala crossing the border illegally on August 17. Two individuals from this group, a 22-year-old male and a 19-year-old female were discovered as imposters once they were questioned by agents at the CPC and after detecting discrepancies during their interviews.

Individuals who attempt to pose as unaccompanied children may face charges under 18 USC 1001 (False Statements to Federal Agents) and 18 USC 371 (Conspiracy to Defraud the U.S.) among other charges for illegally entering the United States. Penalties can include fines and imprisonment. Investigative efforts by El Paso Sector Border Patrol Agents have resulted in the detection of more than 665 adult migrants posing as minors during FY2022.

“Transnational Criminal Organizations exploit migrants convincing them to pose as minors in order to be processed as such” said El Paso Sector Border Patrol Chief Gloria I. Chavez. “Identity fraud is a common tactic used by TCOs to take advantage of migrants who do not know the legal consequences of their actions as they attempt to deceive authorities.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol while remaining anonymous by calling 1-800-635-2509.

Laredo BP Rescued an Individual from the Rio Grande

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Laredo BP Rescued an Individual from the Rio Grande
Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents working their assigned duties with the Laredo Sector Marine Unit rescued an individual attempting to cross the Rio Grande illegally. USCBO Image
Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents working their assigned duties with the Laredo Sector Marine Unit rescued an individual attempting to cross the Rio Grande illegally. USCBO Image

Texas Border Business

LAREDO, Texas – Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents working their assigned duties with the Laredo Sector Marine Unit rescued an individual attempting to cross the Rio Grande illegally.

The incident occurred on August 19, when agents were working their assigned duties witnessed a male individual attempting to make illegally entry near Gateway to the Americas Bridge.  The individual was struggling to stay afloat due to strong currents and became stranded on one of the pillars on the bridge. The agents quickly responded and were able to rescue the individual and bring him aboard the airboat to safety.  After he was evaluated by Border Patrol agents, he was taken into custody for processing. The individual was from Venezuela.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol while remaining anonymous by calling 1-800-343-1994. 

RGV Agents Interdict Four Migrant Smuggling Events

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RGV Agents Interdict Four Migrant Smuggling Events
Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents, working with local law enforcement agencies, arrest 29 and encounter a large group near La Grulla.USCBP Image
Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents, working with local law enforcement agencies, arrest 29 and encounter a large group near La Grulla. USCBP Image

Texas Border Business

EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents, working with local law enforcement agencies, arrest 29 and encounter a large group near La Grulla.

On August 21, McAllen Border Patrol Station agents attempted to initiate an immigration inspection of the occupants of a vehicle departing a well-known migrant loading area in Los Ebanos. The driver failed to yield and led agents on a vehicle pursuit. An Air and Marine Operations helicopter, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the La Joya Police Department assisted with the pursuit, until the vehicle drove through a fence in Palmview and came to a stop. The driver and a passenger, both U.S. citizens, were apprehended along with five noncitizens after they bailed out and attempted to flee.

The following afternoon, RGV agents, Alamo Police Department officers, and Operation Stonegarden Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to two trailers in Alamo suspected of harboring noncitizens. Agents arrested 17 migrants from Mexico and Central America who were unlawfully present in the U.S. No caretaker was identified.

Later that day, Rio Grande City Border Patrol (RGC) agents discovered five migrants from Costa Rica in an abandoned residence in Roma.

Additionally on August 22, RGC agents encountered a large group of 110 migrants near La Grulla. The group was comprised of 58 single adults, 29 family members, and 23 unaccompanied children from Cuba and various Central and South American countries.

Border Patrol processed all subjects accordingly.

Congresswoman Flores Meets with RGV Border Patrol

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Congresswoman Flores Meets with RGV Border Patrol
Congresswoman Riding along with RGV Border Patrol. Courtesy Image
Congresswoman Riding along with RGV Border Patrol. Courtesy Image

Texas Border Business

Last week, we saw the release of alarming official numbers from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). According to their data, we expect to have well over 2 million illegal crossings this fiscal year. Representing a border community, being a wife to a CBP officer and mother of 4 children, this report was alarming. It confirms the magnitude of the ongoing humanitarian and security crisis at our border. As a member of the Homeland Security Committee, and to better understand the issue, Flores visited the CBP RGV Sector to speak to those on the frontlines. After receiving a briefing, she and her team toured the sector and learned more about the everyday operations and challenges facing our brave CBP men and women.

Congresswoman Flores meets with RGV Sector Border Patrol. Courtesy Image

This visit furthered her conviction that her first bill in Congress, the bipartisan ‘Advanced Border Coordination Act‘, to support law enforcement officials and enhance inter-agency communications, meets the current field needs and will hinder cartels and human drug traffickers from further expanding their grip on our southern border. Words cannot describe the pain she felt when she saw a pregnant 12-year-old girl who these monsters had sexually abused. Seeing such on strengthens her resolve to see this humanitarian and security crisis stopped once and for all.

Law enforcement partners working together yielded large amount of cash

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Law enforcement partners working together yielded large amount of cash
 Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Border Patrol Canine Unit assisted Duval County Sheriff with a traffic bus stop that yielded a large amount of currency in Freer, Texas. Image for illustration puriposes
 Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Border Patrol Canine Unit assisted Duval County Sheriff with a traffic bus stop that yielded a large amount of currency in Freer, Texas. Image for illustration puriposes

Texas Border Business

LAREDO, Texas – Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Border Patrol Canine Unit assisted Duval County Sheriff with a traffic bus stop that yielded a large amount of currency in Freer, Texas.

 The incident occurred on August 22, when deputies requested assistance from Border Patrol Canine Unit with a traffic bus stop.   After a brief inspection of the bus a Service canine located a large amount of unclaimed currency hidden in a shoe box on the bus. The total amount found was nearly $200,000 in currency and $500 in counterfeit bills.  

U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol while remaining anonymous by calling 1-800-343-1994.

Two Part Genealogy Workshop 

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Two Part Genealogy Workshop 
The Museum of South Texas History invites the community to a two-part genealogy workshop, “Discover Your Past with Esther Camacho,” at 1 p.m. Sept. 10 and Sept. 24. Courtesy Image
The Museum of South Texas History invites the community to a two-part genealogy workshop, “Discover Your Past with Esther Camacho,” at 1 p.m. Sept. 10 and Sept. 24. Courtesy Image

Texas Border Business

EDINBURG, Texas — The Museum of South Texas History invites the community to a two-part genealogy workshop, “Discover Your Past with Esther Camacho,” at 1 p.m. Sept. 10 and Sept. 24. 

This two-part genealogy workshop will provide participants with knowledge about genealogy research and tools.

The first workshop scheduled at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, will cover the basics on beginning genealogical research including how to start a family tree using a standardized worksheet, which will be used in the following workshop.

Participants will be asked to conduct family tree research and reconvene at 1 p.m. Sept. 24, the second part of the genealogy workshop. During the second workshop, participants will receive knowledge about resources readily available online for research. Camacho will also be available to answer any questions about conducting family tree research.

Camacho is a South Texas librarian, genealogist and historical researcher. She has been active in genealogical research for more than 35 years and has presented at local organizations and state conferences on a variety of topics including beginners’ genealogy, Hispanic research, cemetery research, and local history. Camacho holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and a Master of Library Science from Texas Woman’s University.

The genealogy workshop is included in the regular museum admission fees, and FRIENDs of MOSTHistory receive free admission as part of their FRIENDship benefits.

This program is made possible by the generous support from the Carmen C. Guerra Endowment. Mrs. Guerra was committed to educational causes in the Rio Grande Valley. This named endowment was created by her family to honor her memory and to continue providing educational opportunities for the community.

Del Rio Agents Encounter Travel Trailer Full of Undocumented Migrants

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Del Rio Agents Encounter Travel Trailer Full of Undocumented Migrants
Del Rio Sector Border Patrol agents apprehended 37 undocumented migrants attempting to abscond from a large human smuggling attempt in the city of Del Rio, Aug. 17. USCBP Image for illustration purposes
Del Rio Sector Border Patrol agents apprehended 37 undocumented migrants attempting to abscond from a large human smuggling attempt in the city of Del Rio, Aug. 17. USCBP Image for illustration purposes

Texas Border Business

DEL RIO, Texas – Del Rio Sector Border Patrol agents apprehended 37 undocumented migrants attempting to abscond from a large human smuggling attempt in the city of Del Rio, Aug. 17.

At approximately 5 p.m., a Border Patrol agent working near Highway 277 spotted a flatbed pickup truck, pulling a travel trailer, headed toward Del Rio. The agent followed the vehicle to the Del Rio Wal-Mart parking lot. The agent then observed two men get out of the truck and walk into the store.

Agents observed multiple subjects climb out of the trailer and attempt to flee the area.

Border Patrol agents, along with local law enforcement officers, apprehended 15 subjects who fled through the parking lot. Inside the unventilated trailer were 22 subjects, including a family with a young child, in visible distress as the temperature exceeded 100 degrees.

The 37 subjects, all citizens of Mexico, were processed under CBP guidelines. The case was referred to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Del Rio Office. They continue to work leads in this case.

To report suspicious activity, call the Del Rio Sector’s toll-free number at 1-866-511-8727.

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