RGV Agents Disrupt Five Human Smuggling Attempts in 48 Hours

RGV Agents Disrupt Five Human Smuggling Attempts in 48 Hours




Release Date: October 20, 2020



EDINBURG, Texas – In 48 hours, Rio Grande Valley agents foiled five human smuggling attempts and in the process arrested 8 smugglers and 15 illegal aliens.

Sunday afternoon, Weslaco agents working in Pharr, Texas, were called to assist a Pharr Police officer who conducted a vehicle stop near the Burger King on Veterans Road and Expressway 83.

Upon arrival, the agents discovered the driver was in police custody, but the remaining occupants of the vehicle fled into the neighboring businesses. An extensive search of the area resulted in the discovery of three additional subjects who were determined to be illegally present in the United States. The driver and the three subjects were placed under arrest and transported to the station for processing.

Later that day, McAllen agents working in La Joya, Texas, assisted La Joya Police on a vehicle stop on FM 2221 north of Expressway 83. Agents on scene interviewed the subjects and determined that one of the subjects was illegally present in the United States. The driver was placed under arrest. At the McAllen Station, a more thorough search of the driver revealed 6 grams of crystal methamphetamine in his possession. McAllen Police Department took custody of the driver, the illegal alien was processed accordingly.

Additionally, Kingsville, Falfurrias, and Corpus Christi agents arrested 6 smugglers and 11 illegal aliens during three failed smuggling attempts.

Border Patrol processed the cases and 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.

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...empts-48-hours