Tip to Authorities Uncovers Temporary Stash Houses At Hotel
Tip to Authorities Uncovers Temporary Stash Houses At Hotel
Posted: Jun 8, 2012 12:19 AM
Updated: Jun 8, 2012 10:12 AM
PALMVIEW - A tip to a special team of US Border Patrol helped lead to the arrest of 70 illegal aliens and three smugglers at a Palmview motel.
According to court documents obtained by CHANNEL 5 NEWS, the Border Patrol team called Fraud Intelligence Smuggling Terrorism, or FIST, began a surveillance mission on the Palmview Inn Motel on May 31, and then raided the building on June 4.
The documents say the motel was being used as a temporary stash house for coyotes and illegal aliens. After several days of surveillance, the Border Patrol FIST team reported people taking large amounts of food and drinks to several rooms at the motel.
Once they had enough information the team moved in taking 70 illegal aliens who were staying in four different rooms. They also arrested three alleged human smugglers.
CHANNEL 5 NEWS spoke with the motel manager, Ram Sweeta, about the raid to see if he knew what was going on.
"Immigration came over here; I was in my office. They say they want to see in room eight and two, and I say 'Okay, go ahead,' and I gave them the keys and that's all," Sweeta said.
Sweeta said he was not aware that so many illegals were hiding at his hotel.
US Border Patrol would not speak to CHANNEL 5 NEWS about the case because it's still an active investigation.
Tip to Authorities Uncovers Temporary Stash Houses At Hotel | KRGV.com | CHANNEL 5 NEWS | Breaking News Breaking Stories
