FALFURRIAS, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Rio Grande Valley Sector saved the lives of 36 illegal immigrants, located inside a refrigerated trailer; and on a separate incident, rescued a pregnant woman lost in the brush in Brooks County.
Immigrants packed into a refrigerated trailer
On Sunday morning, 36 illegal immigrants were rescued from a tractor-trailer at the Falfurrias Border Patrol Checkpoint. The illegal immigrants were discovered inside a refrigerated trailer after the vehicle was referred to the secondary inspection area following a K-9 alert. When the refrigerated trailer was opened, the illegal immigrants were observed shivering due to the extremely low temperatures. Rescues such as this highlight the risks ruthless criminal organizations take with immigrants’ lives for monetary gain. All of the subjects were offered medical attention but declined. The driver was turned over to HSI for prosecution.
Agents discover freezing immigrants
On Saturday, dispatchers from the Brooks County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call requesting assistance. The caller, a man traveling with a pregnant woman, stated they were lost in the brush and faced a dire situation if not rescued. Border Patrol agents from the Falfurrias Station were able to successfully track and locate the two individuals before succumbing to the environment. Both were transported to the Falfurrias Station for processing.
The Rio Grande Valley Sector is part of the South Texas Campaign, 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 800-863-9382.