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  4. High temperatures in the Rio Grande Valley increase dangers for smuggled aliens

High temperatures in the Rio Grande Valley increase dangers for smuggled aliens

Release Date
Mon, 06/11/2018

EDINBURG, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents continue rescue efforts throughout the Rio Grande Valley Sector.

On Friday, June 8, the Brooks County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Falfurrias Border Patrol Station regarding a distressed 911 caller who was lost in the brush. Agents and an Air and Marine helicopter responded to the last known GPS coordinates and located the Mexican national in dense brush south of Falfurrias. The man was transported to a local hospital for a medical evaluation.

CBP agents continue to rescue aliens abandoned by their smugglers
CBP agents continue to rescue aliens
abandoned by their smugglers

Similarly, over the weekend, agents responded to two additional 911 calls resulting in the rescue of five subjects who were abandoned by their smugglers after they could not keep up.

“When a smuggler decides to leave someone behind in this hot climate and terrain, they are leaving them die in a harsh and in humane manner,” said Chief Patrol Agent Manuel Padilla, Jr. “These rescues are made possible by the coordinated efforts of several law enforcement agencies reacting to a 911 call, but sometimes that call is never made.”

In Kingsville, agents were patrolling the vast ranchlands when they encountered a Guatemalan woman who was going in and out of consciousness. The woman was transported to the Sarita Checkpoint where she was air lifted to the hospital for medical treatment.

Additionally, agents discovered human remains of a subject left behind in a ranch near Falfurrias, Texas and McAllen agents found another body of someone who drowned attempting to cross the river near Penitas, Texas. Both decedents were transported to the local medical examiner’s office.

RGV Sector urges immigrants not to jeopardize their lives by illegally entering the United States or by attempting to circumvent a checkpoint. The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in our communities and to help save lives by reporting suspicious activity at 800-863-9382.

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

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021