Thread: CBP arrests alleged child smugglers

CBP arrests alleged child smugglers

May 06, 2010 12:53 PM
The Monitor

HIDALGO — Customs officers arrested two Rio Grande Valley women who allegedly tried to smuggle four Mexican children into the country on Monday.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge encountered a 27-year-old Mexican woman from San Juan. The woman was driving a 2001 Nissan Altima sedan and was accompanied by a 25-year-old woman from Edinburg and four children — two boys and two girls — whose ages ranged from less than one year to six years old.

The women allegedly told officers they were the mothers of the children and presented U.S. birth certificates, which were later found to belong to other children, officers said in a statement.

CBP worked with Mexican authorities to return the children to their mother in Mexico. Both women remain in CBP custody on alleged immigration law violations.

http://www.valleymorningstar.com/news/d ... dalgo.html

C.B.P. News Release

CBP Officers at the Hidalgo Detain Two Women in Child Smuggling Attempt

(Tuesday, May 04, 2010)

Hidalgo, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Hidalgo International Bridge intercepted two women for allegedly attempting to smuggle four Mexican national children into the United States earlier this week.

On May 3, CBP officers working at the Hidalgo International Bridge came in contact with a northbound 27-year-old Mexican citizen from San Juan, Texas. The traveler, driving a 2001 Nissan Altima sedan was accompanied by 25-year-old female, U.S. citizen from Edinburg, Texas, and four minor children, two boys and two girls, ranging in age from less than one year to six years. The women each identified themselves as the mothers of two of the children and presented birth certificates that identified the children as U.S. citizens. The two adults, the children and vehicle were referred for further inspection. During secondary inspection, CBP officers established that the children were Mexican citizens and that the birth certificates had been issued to other U.S. citizen children.

In coordination with Mexican Immigration authorities, the children were released to their mother and all were returned to Mexico.

CBP officers have detained both women on alleged violations of immigration law and continue to investigate this thwarted smuggling attempt.

Hector A. Mancha, CBP port director Hidalgo-Pharr said, “I commend our frontline officers for their roles in intercepting and preventing this alleged child smuggling attempt.â€