Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Sector Border Patrol Agents disrupt human smuggling operations throughout the RGV.
Monday evening, a Toyota Camry arrived at the Javier Vega Jr. Border Patrol Checkpoint for inspection. The sedan was referred to the secondary inspection area after a service K9 alerted to the trunk area of the vehicle. Agents discovered three subjects, all citizens of Guatemala, hiding in the trunk. Further inspection revealed a .40 caliber pistol with a loaded magazine in the driver’s backpack.
Yesterday morning, information was received regarding a residence being used as a human smuggling stash house in Palmview, Texas. RGV Sector agents and Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies observed a Toyota Tundra depart the apartment with several subjects. HCSO attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Highway 281, however, the pick-up truck failed to yield to the deputies. RGV Sector agents and Palmview Police Department officers returned to the residence to conduct a welfare check when they observed the front door left open. After announcing themselves, three subjects, suspected of being the stash house operators, exited the apartment. Law enforcement personnel were able to see 12 additional subjects hiding in the back of a room. The 12 subjects were determined to be illegally present in the United States.
Yesterday afternoon, Brooks County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) observed a Ford F-150 pick up several subjects, suspected of having circumvented the Falfurrias Border Patrol Checkpoint, near County Road 339 and Highway 285. BCSO deputies attempted to initiate a vehicle stop but Ford F-150 continued traveling north toward Premont, Texas. The pick-up truck, subsequently, drove through a fence north of Premont and more than 15 subjects absconded from the vehicle. Falfurrias Border Patrol agents searched the immediate area and discovered 5 subjects, all determined to be illegally present in the United States. The driver of the truck was not located.
Border Patrol processed the cases and the subjects accordingly.
The Rio Grande Valley Sector currently has multiple campaigns focused on rescues and danger awareness, such as “Operation Big Rig” and “No Se Arriesgue” to combat smuggling and ultimately save lives. Call 911 to report suspicious activity; “They’re humans, not cargo!”
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.
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