FALFURRIAS, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Rio Grande Valley Sector rescued 49 people in past 24 hours, who were concealed within several compartments of different vehicles. The drivers of the vehicles were arrested on alien smuggling charges.
Border Patrol agents rescued 38 undocumented aliens hidden within a tractor trailer at the Falfurrias checkpoint
The biggest rescue occurred at approximately 12:15 a.m., when Falfurrias Station agents arrested a man, who is a United States citizen, attempting to smuggle 38 undocumented aliens locked inside a tractor trailer at the Border Patrol checkpoint on U.S. Highway 281 North. Following a service K-9 alert, the driver of the trailer was referred to secondary inspection.
Two other rescues occurred on Thursday at Falfurrias checkpoint, one of which included nine people rescued from the bed of a Chevy Avalanche that was being transported on a flatbed truck. The subjects were sweating profusely due to the lack of ventilation and extremely hot temperatures. Finally, two additional people were rescued from the trunk of a car in another case.
All of the rescued individuals were offered medical attention but declined. The cases were referred to the RGV Sector Prosecutions Office and the vehicles involved were seized by Border Patrol.
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.
Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection.