CBP Officers in Texas Stop Alien Smuggling Attempt

(Thursday, September 17, 2009)




Brownsville, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Brownsville, Texas port of entry at Veteran’s Bridge yesterday discovered a female passenger in a Chevrolet Lumina did not have proper documents to legally enter the country. The driver was arrested on felony alien smuggling charges.


A 1996 Chevrolet Lumina arrived at the bridge driven by Pedro Arturo Silva Enriquez, a Mexican citizen, age 29, from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. While interviewing the female passenger it was established that she did not possess the appropriate immigration entry documents to legally enter the United States.


The female passenger, identified as Magaly Landa Soliman, presented a laser visa bearing someone else's name. After further inspection, CBP officers discovered Soliman's true identity and determined she did not have a valid entry document.


CBP officers arrested Pedro Arturo Silva Enriquez on federal alien smuggling charges and he remains incarcerated pending further proceedings. The female passenger was arrested, remains in federal custody and will be processed and returned to Mexico in accordance with expedited removal proceedings. The 1996 Chevrolet Lumina was seized.


“CBP officers routinely examine documents and find travelers without appropriate immigration entry documentation,â€