Border Patrol Halts Human Smuggling Attempts in the Rio Grande Valley


 Release Date: May 22, 2020


EDINBURG, Texas – Border Patrol discovers a stash house and foils four human smuggling attempts.

On Tuesday, Rio Grande Valley Sector agents working in conjunction with the Hidalgo County Constable’s Office conducted a welfare check at a residence in Pharr, Texas. After entering the residence, law enforcement officers discovered six illegal aliens. The illegal aliens are from the countries of Ecuador, Honduras, and Mexico.

The following day, Rio Grande City agents working in Roma, Texas, responded to a reported human smuggling attempt. Responding agents observed several subjects get in a Nissan Altima and drive away. Agents contacted the Roma Police Department (PD) for assistance. Officers encountered the suspect vehicle parked at a residence. As the driver exited the vehicle, Roma PD officers conducted an interview and advised agents of three men attempting to conceal themselves in the rear seat of the vehicle. After interviewing the subjects, agents determined the Mexican and Honduran nationals were illegally present in the U.S. The driver and passengers were taken into custody.

Hours later, agents working at the Javier Vega, Jr. Border Patrol checkpoint referred a tractor trailer for secondary inspection following a K-9 alert. At secondary, an inspection of the sleeping area led to the discovery and arrest of two male Salvadoran nationals who admitted to being in U.S illegally. An additional search of the tractor revealed 618 grams of Xanax inside the drivers cab. The driver was arrested.

Also on Thursday, Border Patrol agents stopped two human smuggling attempts that resulted in the arrest of five illegal aliens.

Border Patrol processed all 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!”

The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and report suspicious activity at 800-863-9382.

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.

Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter @CBPRGV, @USBPChiefRGV and @USBPDepChiefRGV.



https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-m...-grande-valley