Human Smuggling on the Rise in the Rio Grande Valley New Year, Same Tactics
Human Smuggling on the Rise in the Rio Grande Valley New Year, Same Tactics
Release Date
Wed, 01/04/2023 - 12:00
EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents, along with state and local law enforcement departments, interdicted seven smuggling events leading to 36 arrests, including four rescues from under a Port of Entry bridge.
On December 31, Kingsville Border Patrol Station (KIN) agents working at the Javier Vega Jr. Immigration Checkpoint apprehended four migrants from a tractor trailer. Agents referred the vehicle to the secondary inspection area following a K-9 alert and discovered the migrants in the trailer concealed between pallets of produce. The driver, and migrants who were unlawfully present in the U.S., were placed under arrest.
Later that evening, Falfurrias Border Patrol Station (FLF) agents at the Falfurrias Immigration Checkpoint arrested a U.S. citizen driving a Ford Explorer and three passengers, who were unlawfully present in the U.S. Agents found a gram of methamphetamine on the driver who was then turned over to Brooks County Sheriff’s Office to face state charges.
On January 1, Harlingen Border Patrol Station discovered four migrants stuck on a pillar underneath the Los Indios, Texas, Port of Entry bridge. The Harlingen Fire Department assisted to safely lower the subjects from the pillar.
On January 2, McAllen Border Patrol Station agents, responding to illicit activity in Los Ebanos, observed two vehicles departing a known human smuggling location.
The two vehicles failed to yield after agents attempted to conduct vehicle stops.
Additional agents, a CBP Air and Marine Operations helicopter, and Sullivan City Police Department responded to assist the vehicle pursuits until the occupants of both vehicles bailed out near Sullivan City. Agents apprehended 19 migrants unlawfully present in the U.S. The drivers were not located.
Later that night, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers advised FLF agents they observed a Dodge Durango load up suspected migrants and were engaged in a vehicle pursuit. Agents responded and assisted with the pursuit. The vehicle drove through three ranch fences before coming to a stop, when two occupants bailed out. They were not located.
Also on January 2, KIN agents conducted a vehicle stop on a vehicle after it made a U-turn just before arriving at the Javier Vega Jr. Immigration Checkpoint. Agents determined the driver and three passengers were unlawfully present in the U.S. and were placed under arrest. Agents seized a loaded 7.62 semi-automatic rifle in the vehicle. The driver was turned over to Kenedy County Sheriff's Office.
All subjects were processed accordingly.
“I am very proud of the tremendous work performed by our Border Patrol Agents in the Rio Grande Valley in 2022. I’m elated to see that our Agents kicked off 2023 with the same dedication and vigor as they have always! RGV agents work around the clock to target illicit activity in our border region everyday increasing safety in our communities,” said RGV Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez.
The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and to help save lives by reporting suspicious activity at 1-800-863-9382.
Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter @CBPRGV and @USBPChiefRGV.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the comprehensive management, control, and protection of our nation’s borders, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection at and between official ports of entry.
Tags:
Air and Marine Operations
, Border Security
, Canine
, Smuggling
, U.S. Border Patrol
Human Smuggling Incidents on Rise in Southeast Texas Border Sector, Says Chief
Human Smuggling Incidents on Rise in Southeast Texas Border Sector, Says Chief
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by BOB PRICE 5 Jan 2023
Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol officials report a rise in the new year in the number of interior human smuggling incidents encountered. During the past week, agents interdicted seven human smuggling incidents.
Beginning on New Year’s Eve, Kingsville Station agents assigned to the Javier Vegam Jr. Checkpoint on U.S. Highway 77 observed a tractor-trailer approaching for inspection. During a secondary inspection, a K-9 team alerted to the presence of migrants dangerously packed between pallets of produce. The agents arrested the driver and the four migrants hidden in the cargo.
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Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol agents find four migrants on a pillar of a border bridge. (U.S. Border Patrol/Rio Grande Valley Sector)
Later that evening, Falfurrias Station agents assigned to the Border Patrol checkpoint on U.S. Highway 281 in Brooks County, Texas, observed a Ford Explorer approaching for inspection. During an immigration interview, the agents identified three passengers as migrants illegally present in the U.S.
The agents searched the U.S. citizen driver during the arrest and discovered a gram of methamphetamine.
Deputies from the Brooks County Sheriff’s Office took the driver into custody on state drug and human smuggling charges.
As human smugglers attempted to move migrants across the Rio Grande on New Year’s Day, Harlingen agents observed four migrants stuck on a pillar beneath the Los Indios Port of Entry bridge. The agents contacted the Harlingen Fire Department who assisted in lowering the migrants from the pillar.
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Border Patrol agents seize a 7.62 semi-automatic rifle from a foreign national who was smuggling migrants. (U.S. Border Patrol/Rio Grande Valley Sector)
On January 2, Kingsville Station agents observed a vehicle making a U-turn just before the Javier Vega, Jr. Checkpoint. The agents conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver and the three passengers as migrants illegally present in the United States. The agents found a 7.62 semi-automatic rifle in the vehicle, arrested the driver, and turned him over to Kenedy County deputies for state charges.
Elsewhere in the sector, McAllen Station agents responded to suspicious activity near Los Ebanos. The agents observed two vehicles departing from a known human smuggling pickup area. Both vehicles refused to stop when Border Patrol agents attempted an interdiction stop.
A CBP Air and Marine Operation helicopter aircrew responded along with police officers from Sullivan City. The occupants of both vehicles bailed out near Sullivan City, officials stated. A search of the area led to the arrest of 19 migrants attempting to avoid apprehension. The two drivers managed to escape apprehension.
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A Dodge Durango loaded with migrants runs through three Texas rancher’s fences before fleeing on foot. (U.S. Border Patrol/Rio Grande Valley Sector)
Later that night, a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper observed a Dodge Durango load up a group of suspected migrants. The trooper engaged the driver in a pursuit and called for assistance from Falfurrias Station agents. During the chase, the driver drove the SUV through three ranch fences before stopping.
Two occupants of the vehicle bailed out and fled into the brush. A search of the area was unsuccessful.
“I am very proud of the tremendous work performed by our Border Patrol Agents in the Rio Grande Valley in 2022. I’m elated to see that our Agents kicked off 2023 with the same dedication and vigor as they have always! RGV agents work around the clock to target illicit activity in our border region every day increasing safety in our communities,” RGV Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez said in the written statement.
Human Smuggling Incidents on Rise in Southeast Texas Border Sector, Says Chief (breitbart.com)
