EDINBURG, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Rio Grande Valley Sector arrested six convicted sex offenders, two Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang members and seized more than two tons of marijuana throughout the past week.
The sex offenders were arrested in multiple while attempting to illegally enter the United States. During processing, agents discovered that the individuals had convictions in states throughout the nation including: Utah, Oregon, New York and Texas. Their crimes include: aggravated sexual assault of a child, criminal sexual conduct (fourth degree), third degree rape, unlawful sexual activity with a minor, first degree sexual abuse and sexual assault.
In addition to the sex offenders, agents arrested two MS-13 gang members. One of the gang members, who is a national of El Salvador, was arrested Wednesday by agents assigned to the Rio Grande City Station. During questioning, he admitted to being an MS-13 member. The other MS-13 gang member, who is a Honduran national, was arrested Thursday by McAllen Station agents as he attempted to illegally enter the U.S. near Hidalgo.
Finally, agents confiscated more than $3.2 million worth of marijuana in multiple seizures. One of the largest incidents occurred Thursday in Roma when agents spotted several smugglers loading bundles of marijuana into a pickup truck. As agents approached, the smugglers abandoned more than 460 pounds of marijuana and fled to Mexico. Several additional seizures brought the total amount of marijuana seized from Sunday through Thursday to more than 4,000 pounds.
The Rio Grande Valley Sector is part of the South Texas Corridor, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations. To report suspicious activity, call the sector’s toll-free telephone number at 800-863-9382.