Brazilian, Honduran Immigrants Caught Near La Gloria

Updated: Jan 30, 2008 12:28 PM PST

A Rio Grande Valley man faces federal human smuggling charges after Border Patrol agents caught him driving van full of nine undocumented immigrants from Brazil and Honduras.

The incident occurred off Brooks County Road 315 near La Gloria at 3:30 p.m. Monday.

The immigrants they had used a raft to cross the Rio Grande near Hidalgo where they hid in an old house.

The group was bound for New York City and other destinations deep in the United States.

The driver, Pablo Martinez, was presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dorina Ramos on Wednesday morning.

Court records show he is an American citizen but remains in custody pending a hearing next Monday.

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