Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents working in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies disrupted several failed smuggling attempts, which led to the arrest of 50 illegal aliens.
On Tuesday, RGV agents received information that a residence in Edinburg, Texas, was operating as a human smuggling stash house. RGV agents requested the assistance of the Hidalgo County Sherriff’s Office (HCSO). As authorities arrived to the suspect location, they observed several individuals inside the house. A total of 34 illegal aliens and one caretaker were removed from the residence without incident.
Wednesday morning, RGV agents received information of a second suspected stash house in Edinburg, Texas. Agents again requested the assistance of HCSO in the investigation. Authorities arrived to the suspect location and apprehended six illegal aliens from Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. Further investigation revealed two of the illegal aliens apprehended were the caretakers.
That evening, RGV agents working along U.S. Highway 88 near San Manuel, Texas, attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Trax. The driver of the Trax refused to stop and a pursuit ensued. The pursuit came to an end when the driver abruptly stopped and several subjects were seen fleeing into the brush. The driver of the vehicle was arrested with no further incident. A search of the immediate area resulted in the apprehension of three illegal aliens.
Early this morning, RGV agents working the highway north of Edinburg, Texas attempted to conduct a vehicle stop on a Dodge pickup truck. The vehicle refused to stop and a pursuit ensued on US Highway 281. A short time later, the pickup truck veered off the road and all occupants absconded into the nearby ranch. The driver and seven subjects were apprehended in close proximity.
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.
