EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents disrupt six smuggling attempts.
Saturday morning, McAllen Border Patrol Station agents working near the Rio Grande in Havana, Texas, observed a Toyota Corolla pick up several individuals after illegally entering into the United States. Agents performed a vehicle stop near La Joya, Texas. Agents observed multiple subjects exit the vehicle and run into the nearby area. A search of the vehicle revealed one trapped subject inside the trunk. Agents apprehended five subjects, including a driver. The four smuggled migrants are citizens of Mexico and Guatemala.
Later that morning, Corpus Christi Border Patrol Station agents observed several subjects walking north along the beach near Port Mansfield, Texas, in an area commonly used by migrants attempting to circumvent the checkpoints. A Dodge Ram truck was later seen picking up the individuals. When agents attempted to make contact with the vehicle, the driver abruptly stopped and multiple subjects exited the vehicle and ran to the sand dunes. Agents apprehended 14 subjects, illegally present in the United States. The migrants were identified as citizens of Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. A few hours later, agents apprehended four additional subjects walking along the beach, to include the suspected driver. All subjects were transported to the Border Patrol Station and processed accordingly.
Saturday evening in Falfurrias, Texas, agents observed a Toyota Sequoia driving with its lights off traveling westbound on Highway 285. Agents followed behind the vehicle when the driver suddenly drove through a ranch gate causing property damage. The vehicle came to a stop and multiple subjects exited the vehicle and absconded into the brush. Agents searched the area and discovered eight migrants who were illegally present in the United States. The driver of the vehicle was not located.
Sunday evening, RGV agents observed a Ford F150 pick-up truck drop off several individuals near San Manuel, Texas. The driver of the vehicle was observed stopping near FM 493, where he exited the truck and absconded into the nearby brush. Agents searched the first drop off location and discovered seven individuals illegally present in the United States. The driver was not located.
Monday evening, RGV agents attempted to stop a Chevrolet Avalanche traveling on FM 186 in San Manuel, Texas. The vehicle failed to yield to agents and continued to flee until ultimately driving into a ranch fence in an attempt to abscond into the brush. The occupants of the vehicle exited and fled into the nearby brush. With the assistance of Office of Air and Marine air units, agents were able to apprehend 15 subjects determined to being illegally present in the United States. The driver was not located.
Meanwhile, RGV agents observed a GMC Sierra drop off several subjects on FM 186 near the entrance of Sal Del Rey in San Manuel, Texas. The driver sped off and began driving erratically to avoid apprehension by agents. Unable to evade agents, the driver ultimately came to a stop. Agents discovered two subjects in the bed of the truck that were illegally present in the United States. The driver and migrants were taken into Border Patrol custody.
Border Patrol processed all subjects accordingly.
Even with the spread of the COVID-19 virus, human smugglers continue to try these brazen attempts with zero regard for the lives they endanger nor to the health of the citizens of our great nation. The U.S. Border Patrol agents of the Rio Grande Valley Sector will continue to safeguard the nation and community against these criminal elements.
Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter @CBPRGV, @USBPChiefRGV and @USBPDepChiefRGV.
~CBP~