Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents successfully foil five human smuggling attempts and apprehend 32 migrants exposed to dangerous smuggling tactics.
On Thursday, agents assigned to the Javier Vega, Jr. Checkpoint near Sarita, Texas, referred a semi-trailer to secondary inspection after a service K-9 alerted to the trailer. During the secondary inspection, agents encountered 12 noncitizens concealed within the cargo area. The container doors were locked with a padlock, preventing the migrants from exiting freely. The 12 migrants were from Mexico, Honduras, and El Salvador, two were accompanied children.
Friday morning, RGV agents received information of possible migrants being harbored in a hotel room located in McAllen, Texas. Agents requested the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers and the McAllen Police Department in the investigation. Authorities arrived at the location and apprehended six migrants from Mexico, who were left in the room by smugglers.
Friday night, RGV agents working near McCook, Texas, attempted a vehicle stop on a white Ford Expedition. The driver refused to stop, and a pursuit ensued. The vehicle drove through a locked ranch gate and eventually came to a stop in the property. Several individuals were seen fleeing the vehicle. A search of the immediate area resulted in the apprehension of two migrants, the driver of the vehicle was not located.
Saturday morning, RGV agents working near San Manuel, Texas, as agents positioned themselves to view the vehicle’s license plate, the driver veered off the road and into a barbed wire fence. Agents observed multiple individuals abscond into the nearby brush when the vehicle came to a stop. A search of the area lead to the discovery of six subjects, all determined to being illegally present in the United States. The driver was not located.
On Sunday, Rio Grande City Border Patrol Station agents working near Roma, Texas, received a concerned citizen report of an alien smuggling attempt near Fronton, Texas. As agents arrived at the reported location, they observed a Dodge Ram departing the area. Agents attempted to conduct a vehicle stop on the vehicle, however the driver failed to yield and a pursuit ensued. The pursuit came to an end when the driver drove through a gate. Several subjects were seen fleeing into the brush. A search of the immediate area resulted in the apprehension of six subjects illegally present in the United States. The driver of the vehicle could not be located.
All subjects are being processed accordingly.
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.
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.
