LAREDO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Laredo Sector significantly disrupted criminal organization activities over the past week as they rescued an illegal immigrant, detained subjects with criminal sexual crimes, and made significant narcotic seizures.
Last week, agents assigned to the Laredo South Border Patrol Station observed a group of three illegal immigrants swimming across the Rio Grande River from Mexico towards the United States when they noticed one of them struggling to stay above water. Laredo Sector Marine Unit arrived on the scene and rescued the illegal immigrant to safety.
Laredo Sector agents assigned to the Laredo North, South, West and Hebbronville Stations made four significant arrests of illegal immigrants during separate incidents. All four of the adult male subjects arrested had previous criminal convictions of sexual crimes to include sexual assault of a child. All the cases were referred to the Laredo Sector Prosecutions Office.
Additionally, Border Patrol Agents confiscated over 2,000 pounds of marijuana with an estimated value of over $1.6 million. The largest seizure occurred when Laredo North Border Patrol Agents were conducting roving patrol duties and responded to possible illegal activity. Agents encountered 19 subjects carrying suspected bundles of narcotics. The subjects were trying to conceal the narcotics in a truck that was inside a junkyard. As the agents arrived to the location, all of the subjects dropped the bundles and absconded back to Mexico. The total weight of the marijuana was 1,443.00 pounds with an estimated value of $1,154,400.00. The case was turned over to DEA.
The Laredo Border Patrol 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 800-343-1994.