Border Patrol agents arrest seventeen smuggled illegal aliens

June 21, 2007 12:41 PM EDT

MISSION, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol agents arrest seventeen illegal aliens in a smuggling attempt. An Air Interdiction Agent Pilot assisted in the apprehension of these subjects.

The arrest occurred today when Border Patrol agents from the McAllen Border Patrol station patrolling the river area south of Mission, Texas, responded to possible illegal activity. As the agents approached the location, they requested air support assistance from an AIA pilot from the Rio Grande Valley Air and Marine Office. As the AIA pilot flew towards the area, the pilot observed a large number of subjects being loaded onto a green minivan. From the air, the pilot followed the vehicle into the city of Mission. Agents in the area were advised of the location and proceeded to stop the vehicle for an immigration check of its occupants. All subjects attempted to abscond from the vehicle. Border Patrol agents arrested a total of seventeen subjects to include eleven Mexicans, five Hondurans, and one subject from Guatemala.

Border Patrol seized the vehicle and transported all subjects to the McAllen Border Patrol station for further processing. All subjects will be deported from the United States back to their country of origin.

To report suspicious activity, contact the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol sectors' toll free telephone number at 1-800-863-9382.

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