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  4. Laredo Sector Border intercepted human smuggling attempts at checkpoint

Laredo Sector Border intercepted human smuggling attempts at checkpoint

Release Date
Wed, 09/20/2023

LAREDO, Texas – Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents working at the I-35 checkpoint intercepted two human smuggling attempts.

Both incidents occurred on Sept. 18, when Border Patrol agents intercepted two human smuggling attempts in separate incidents.  The first incident revealed non-citizens hiding inside a false compartment in an auxiliary fuel tank of a F-250 truck. A total of three non-citizens were concealed inside the false compartment.  On the second incident, a Border Patrol service canine alerted to the vehicle and agents discovered five non-citizens being concealed inside a stack of plywood that was placed inside a van.

A total of eight individuals were safely removed from the concealed compartments and were taken in for processing.

Record checks revealed that all the individuals were in the country illegally from Mexico, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Guatemala. The undocumented individuals were processed accordingly. The drivers will be prosecuted for human smuggling with HSI leading the investigation.

 

 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the comprehensive management, control, and protection of our nation’s borders, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection at and between official ports of entry.

Last Modified: Sep 20, 2023