EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol agents interdicted three human smuggling attempts that led to 21 arrests.
Yesterday morning, Brownsville Border Patrol Station agents near Brownsville, Texas, were searching for several groups of migrants who were detected illegally entering the country. As agents searched for the group, they spotted a suspicious vehicle circling the area. An agent began following the vehicle when it abruptly stopped, and several occupants were observed exiting the vehicle in an attempt to avoid apprehension. Agents apprehended six migrants in the surrounding neighborhood, however the driver was not located.
Later in the evening, a Falfurrias Border Patrol Station (FLF) agent working the primary lane at the Falfurrias Border Patrol Checkpoint observed suspicious behavior from the vehicle’s occupants during their immigration inspection. The vehicle was referred to the secondary inspection area for further questioning. Agents determined the driver to be a United States citizen and the passengers were identified as two undocumented noncitizens. All subjects were placed under arrest and escorted into the checkpoint. Agents also discovered a .45 caliber pistol in the glovebox. Brooks County Sheriff’s Office was contacted and took custody of the driver, vehicle, and pistol.
Shortly after, FLF agents working near Falfurrias, Texas, attempted to initiate a vehicle stop on a Ford F150 truck. The driver failed to yield and led the agents on a vehicle pursuit. The truck drove through a fence before the occupants bailed out of the vehicle. Agents apprehended twelve migrants in the surrounding area and were transported to the station to be processed accordingly. The driver was not located.
The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and report 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 on Twitter @CBPRGV, @USBPChiefRGV and @USBPDepChiefRGV.
~CBP~
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.