LAREDO, Texas – Border Patrol agents discovered a total of 62 individuals in three failed smuggling attempts.
The first incident occurred in the early afternoon of May 14, when a tractor-trailer approached the Interstate Highway 35 checkpoint. After an immigration inspection of the driver, a non-intrusive scan of the tractor-trailer revealed several individuals being transported in the trailer. Upon opening the trailer, agents discovered 48 individuals, including two juveniles, who were determined to be illegally in the United States from the country of Mexico. All 48 individuals and the driver, a U.S. Citizen, were arrested pending further investigation. The tractor and trailer were seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.
The second incident occurred just over an hour later, when agents working the U.S. Highway 83 checkpoint encountered a second tractor trailer. During the immigration inspection of the driver, a Service canine alerted to the tractor area. An inspection of the tractor led to the discovery of 10 individuals inside. The individuals, from the countries of Mexico and Ecuador, were determined to be illegally present in the United States. The 10 individuals and the U.S. Citizen driver were placed under arrest pending further investigation. The tractor-trailer was seized by the United States Border Patrol.
The final incident occurred later in the evening. Agents working south of U.S. Highway 59 performed a roving patrol stop on a black pickup. During an immigration inspection, it was determined the driver was a U.S. Citizen, and the other four occupants were illegally present in the Unites States from the countries of Mexico and Honduras. All occupants were placed under arrest. The driver and truck were turned over to Duval County Sheriff’s Office to face state charges.
Despite the ongoing international COVID-19 pandemic, alien smugglers endanger the lives of individuals they transport and put at risk the health and safety of our Nation. U.S. Border Patrol agents strive to prevent the flow of illegal immigration and slow the spread of COVID-19.
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