Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Sector Border Patrol agents disrupted four migrant smuggling attempts that resulted in 73 arrests. In one of the smuggling incidents, a migrant smuggler collided with a school bus while attempting to evade arrest.
On Feb. 7, Rio Grande City Border Patrol Station agents observed several subjects loading into a Ford F-150 near the Rio Grande in Fronton, Texas. Agents notified law enforcement authorities in the area. Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers encountered the vehicle and attempted to conduct a vehicle stop. The driver failed to yield, and a pursuit ensued. The vehicle eventually came to a stop and all occupants fled on foot. Responding agents and troopers apprehended the driver and four migrants unlawfully present in the U.S. Agents later learned that the suspect collided with a school bus prior to fleeing on foot. The bus was only occupied by the driver, and he did not require any medical attention. DPS took custody of the smuggler, and the migrants were transported to a Border Patrol facility.
On Feb. 8, RGV agents received information regarding a McAllen, Texas, residence suspected of being used as a human smuggling stash house. Agents and Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the location and encountered 48 migrants from Mexico and Central America unlawfully present in the U.S. No caretaker was identified.
At the same time, RGV agents observed a Chevrolet Traverse drive through a gate behind a restaurant in Encino, Texas. Several subjects were observed fleeing into the nearby brush. As agents searched the area, the vehicle caught fire. Agents quickly extinguished the fire and notified the local fire department. A total of 10 migrants were apprehended in the area. The driver was not located.
On Feb. 9, RGV agents conducted a vehicle stop on a Ford F250 pickup truck near Linn, Texas. When the vehicle came to a stop, the agent observed four subjects abscond from the vehicle into the brush. Agents apprehended ten subjects in the vehicle unlawfully present in the U.S. from Mexico and Guatemala, to include a 16-year-old unaccompanied juvenile. The driver was not located.
All subjects are being processed accordingly.
