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  4. Illegal Aliens Continue to Trust Human Smugglers at Their own Peril

Illegal Aliens Continue to Trust Human Smugglers at Their own Peril

Release Date
Mon, 08/03/2020

EDINBURG, Texas – Border Patrol agents rescue six illegal aliens who risked their lives by trusting dangerous smugglers.

Friday night, a Brooks County 911 operator contacted the Falfurrias station and advised them of a call they received from Mexican national who needed help after being abandoned by a human smuggler. Agents responded to an area south of Highway 285 based on the GPS coordinates provided by the operator. After an extensive search of the vast ranch land, agents were unable to locate the caller. The following morning (Saturday), as the agents continued the search, the Falfurrias station received an updated location of the man in distress. Agents responded to the location and located the caller along with two other Mexican nationals. Medical staff evaluated the men after agents transported them to the Border Patrol station.

Hours later, the Kenedy County Sheriffs' Office (KCSO) notified the Kingsville station of a 911 call they received. The caller stated he was traveling with another man and both were tired, thirsty and could no longer continue walking. KCSO provided the GPS coordinates of the caller and, after reviewing the location of the call, Harlingen Station agents working near Norias, Texas, were dispatched. After a thorough search of the area, agents located the Mexican nationals. Agents provided them with basic medical attention and transported them to the Kingsville Station.

On Sunday afternoon, Rio Grande City agents on foot patrol contacted Emergency Medical Services after they located an unresponsive Guatemalan national behind a local business. A Border Patrol Emergency Medical Technician assessed and treated the man. EMS arrived at transported the man to a local hospital for further treatment and evaluation.

The Rio Grande Valley Sector currently has multiple campaigns focused on rescues and danger awareness, such as “Operation Big Rig” and “No Se Arriesgue” to combat smuggling and ultimately save lives. Call 911 to report suspicious activity; “They’re humans, not cargo!”    

Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter at @CBPRGV, @USBPChiefRGV and @USBPDepChiefRGV.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021