Thread: TX: Edinburg couple confesses to smuggling immigrants

Edinburg couple confesses to smuggling immigrants
The Monitor
February 21, 2008 - 8:39PM
FOR THE RECORD

MISSION | IMMIGRANT SMUGGLING

An Edinburg couple has confessed to smuggling immigrants from Mexico, police said.

Authorities arraigned Martin Rodriguez, 25, and Maria Rodriguez, 25, both of Edinburg, on Thursday.

Maria faces an illegal transport charge.

Martin faces that same charge, as well as a charge of evading arrest.

A Mission Municipal Court judge set Martin’s bond at $205,000 and Maria’s at $100,000, after the couple said they had three children. They have cooperated with investigators and confessed to smuggling immigrants into the United States three times, said Mission police spokesman Lt. Martin Garza. They said they earned $250 to $300 for each immigrant.

Police arrested the couple early Wednesday. Officers stopped their 2004 Chevrolet Malibu near the intersection of Shary Road and Old Military Highway about 7:30 a.m. Officers also detained five illegal immigrants and turned them over to U.S. Border Patrol agents.

The couple remained in Hidalgo County Jail late Thursday.


HIDALGO | DRUG SEIZURE

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized nearly 50 pounds of cocaine Tuesday at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge.

Agency officials estimate the street value of the drugs at nearly $1.5 million.

Officers arrested Jose Luis Cedillo, 45, of Houston, on federal drug charges in connection with the seizure.

Cedillo was trying to cross into the United States in a Jeep Wrangler when a drug-detection dog alerted officers to something suspicious. An X-ray scan revealed some irregularities in the vehicle’s floor cargo area.

Officers searched further and found 20 cocaine packages hidden in the Jeep’s floor.

Cedillo remains in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, pending an appearance before a federal magistrate.


RIO GRANDE CITY | CASH SEIZURE

Federal officials seized tens of thousands of dollars in undeclared U.S. currency Tuesday at the Rio Grande City-Camargo bridge.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents arrested Luis Miguel Portillo, 25, of Rio Grande City, on federal bulk cash smuggling charges.

Portillo tried to cross into the United States in a 2007 Ford F-150 pickup truck. Upon inspection, a drug-detection dog alerted agents to a suitcase and bag in the backseat of the truck, authorities said. Officers said they found about $81,000 inside them and seized the money along with the truck.

Portillo remains in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, pending an appearance before a federal magistrate.
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Portillo tried to cross into the United States in a 2007 Ford F-150 pickup truck. Upon inspection, a drug-detection dog alerted agents to a suitcase and bag in the backseat of the truck, authorities said. Officers said they found about $81,000 inside them and seized the money along with the truck.

I hope that border patrol puppy got one heck of a treat!

We need more border patrol dogs!

Aren't suitcases, bags and luggage normally inspected when crossing the US/Mexican border?

"We give dogs' time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare.
And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made." -M. Acklam

Seize cash, sell thier car and home and that should pay for a lot of jail space.