EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol (RGV) agents disrupted seven migrant smuggling attempts resulting in 106 arrests.
On the morning of March 21, McAllen Border Patrol Station (MCS) received information of a silver Chevrolet Malibu picking up possible noncitizens near Sullivan City, Texas. A MCS agent located the vehicle and conducted a vehicle stop. The driver and nine passengers were all determined to be unlawfully present in the U.S. The migrants were nationals from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. They were transported to the station to be processed accordingly.
At about the same time, MCS agents observed several suspected migrants entering a blue Dodge Ram near McAllen, Texas. Responding agents encountered the vehicle and conducted an immigration inspection of the occupants. Agents determined that all passengers, including the driver, were in the United States illegally. The five Mexican nationals were placed under arrest and transported to the station for processing.
Just after noon, Palmview Police Department (PPD) officers requested assistance from MCS agents regarding a possible human smuggling case during a vehicle stop on a Ford Expedition in Palmview, Texas. Upon arrival, PPD officers advised the agents they initiated a vehicle stop on the vehicle and that the driver had absconded. Agents questioned the remaining six occupants and determined they were in the U.S. illegally. Among the six migrants from Mexico was an unaccompanied 16-year-old. Agents searched the area, but driver was not located.
That evening, RGV agents along with Hidalgo County Constable Precinct 1 (HCCP), discovered six undocumented migrants being harbored inside an Alamo, Texas, residence. The migrants were determined to be nationals from Mexico illegally present in the United States and were placed under arrest. HCCP officers seized a black Chevrolet Tahoe from the residence for its use in the transportation of undocumented noncitizens.
Additionally, within the last 72 hours, agents at the Javier Vega Jr. Checkpoint in Sarita, Texas encountered 79 migrants in three separate smuggling attempts concealed within semi-tractor trailers.
All subjects are being processed accordingly.
Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter @CBPRGV and @USBPChiefRGV.
~CBP~