LAREDO, TEXAS – U.S. Border Patrol agents recovered multiple stolen firearms in two separate incidents that occurred near Laredo.
The first incident occurred on the evening of May 17, when an agent assigned to the Laredo South Station, with the assistance of Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), encountered a silver sedan on the side of the road on U.S. Highway 83, near Mangana-Hein Road in south Laredo. When contact was made with the driver, both the DPS trooper and agent observed several firearms on the back seat of the vehicle. A subsequent records check on the firearms led to the discovery that one of them, a rifle, had been reported stolen. The driver, a United States citizen, was placed under arrest by the DPS trooper who also took custody of the vehicle and the other firearms, pending further investigation.
The second incident occurred on the morning of May 18, when agents assigned to the Hebbronville Station (HEB) encountered a white SUV at the Farm to Market Road (FM) 1017 checkpoint. The driver of the vehicle was determined to be a Mexican citizen who was claiming legal residency, but could not produce his immigration documents. He was referred to secondary inspection where a subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of several firearms in the rear of the SUV. Records checks on the firearms revealed a pistol that had been reported stolen. The driver of the vehicle was arrested and transported to the HEB Station pending further investigation by the Jim Hogg County Sheriff’s Office.
To report suspicious activity such as alien and/or drug smuggling, download the “USBP Laredo Sector” App or contact the Laredo Sector Border Patrol toll free at 1-800-343-1994.
