Texas Border Business
On July 25, 2023, at approximately 8:15 p.m., U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to inspection duties at the Hidalgo Texas Port of Entry were notified by a woman that her uncle was currently en route and would be arriving in a Mexican ambulance. She advised that her uncle had suffered cardiac arrest and requested officers contact emergency medical services to dispatch an ambulance to the port of entry.
A supervisory CBP officer called Med-Care EMS at approximately 8:17 p.m. and requested an ambulance, which arrived at approximately 8:32 p.m.
A 53-year-old male, later identified as a citizen of Mexico, arrived at the port of entry at approximately 8:59 p.m. as a patient in a Mexican ambulance.
Med-Care EMS personnel declined to transport the man due to his critical condition at approximately 9:05 p.m. CBP officers conducted record checks at the primary inspection area and identified the man had an active warrant for dangerous drugs and a supervisory officer escorted the Mexican ambulance to the secondary inspection area for further examination. The supervisory CBP officer confirmed the warrant and positively identified the man was the individual listed on the warrant. CBP officers were directed by a supervisor to escort the man and Mexican ambulance, under CBP custody, to the local hospital due to an active warrant for the man’s arrest.
CBP officers escorted the man and ambulance to the McAllen Medical Center at approximately 9:11 p.m. They reported arriving at the medical center at approximately 9:30 p.m., and the man was immediately admitted. Additional responding officers escorted the Mexican ambulance and its occupants back to Mexico at approximately 9:51 p.m.
On July 26, at approximately 3:30 a.m., CBP officers reported the man suffered cardiac arrest, had been revived by medical personnel, and was transferred to the intensive care unit. Officers reported the man experienced another four-to-five episodes of cardiac arrest until medical personnel pronounced the man deceased at 4:25 a.m.
Hidalgo County Medical Examiner’s Office personnel advised CBP Office of Professional Responsibility they would be performing an autopsy and the results will be furnished when available.
This incident is being investigated by the Hidalgo County Medical Examiner’s Office and is under review by CBP OPR. The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General was also notified.
