Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents, with the assistance of state and local law enforcement, interdicted eight human smuggling events that resulted in the arrest of 98 individuals.
Thursday morning, RGV Border Patrol agents, with assistance from the Roma Police Department, apprehended 17 migrants from two human smuggling stash houses located in Roma, Texas. The migrants are citizens of Guatemala, Nicaragua, and El Salvador. All of the noncitizens were taken into Border Patrol custody.
Yesterday afternoon, RGV Border Patrol agents, with assistance from the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office, apprehended 11 migrants from a human smuggling stash house located in Edcouch, Texas. The migrants are citizens of Mexico and Central America. No principal or caretaker was identified at the location.
Yesterday evening, RGV agents working near Armstrong, Texas, observed a Ford F250 drop off suspected noncitizens and attempted to conduct an immigration inspection on the occupants. The driver failed to yield to the agent’s marked service unit and a vehicle pursuit ensued. The vehicle came to a stop and the driver absconded into the brush. The driver was not located after a thorough search of the area. Agents apprehended two migrants where the F250 was originally observed dropping them off.
Last night, Rio Grande City Border Patrol agents observed a vehicle drive south towards the Rio Grande in La Rosita, Texas. A few moments later, suspected noncitizens entered the vehicle and departed. As agents responded, the driver of the vehicle turned back towards the river. Agents encountered the abandoned vehicle partially submerged in the river and observed 13 subjects swim into Mexico. No apprehensions, property damage, or injuries were reported during this event. The vehicle was seized.
Today, Weslaco Police Department requested assistance from the Weslaco Border Patrol Station with two individuals they encountered at a local hotel. Agents responded and determined the individuals were undocumented migrants. They were transported to a Border Patrol facility for processing.
Additionally, RGV agents, in collaboration with law enforcement partners apprehended 66 individuals in three failed human smuggling events.
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.
