RGV Agents Continue to Disrupt Smuggling Activity
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
EDINBURG – (News Release) Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol (RGV) agents disrupted seven migrant smuggling attempts resulting in 40 arrests.
On Feb. 17 in the early morning, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers requested assistance from McAllen Border Patrol (MCS) agents regarding a vehicle stop on a Ford Expedition near Penitas, Texas. Agents determined eight occupants were illegally present in the United States. The migrants are citizens of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. DPS took custody of the driver.
Around the same time, RGV agents working near San Manuel, Texas, attempted to conduct an immigration inspection on the occupants of a Ford F150. The driver failed to yield and drove into a fence causing damage before bailing out. A search of the area resulted in the apprehension of ten noncitizens. The driver was not located.
Later that morning, DPS troopers working in Mission, Texas, requested assistance with a vehicle stop from MCS agents involving a possible human smuggling attempt. MCS agents responded and took custody of eight migrants who were determined to be in the United States illegally. DPS took custody of the driver.
Shortly after the incident in Mission, Texas, RGV agents initiated a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Malibu near Linn, Texas. The driver failed to yield to the agent’s marked service unit and a vehicle pursuit ensued. The vehicle immediately went off road and through two fences causing damage. The vehicle came to a stop and agents were able to apprehend two noncitizens.
On Feb. 18 in the afternoon, RGV agents working near Santa Elena, Texas, attempted to perform an immigration inspection on a Ford truck. The driver failed to yield and drove through a privately owned fence. After coming to a stop, multiple subjects bailed out of the vehicle and absconded. A search of the area resulted in the apprehension of two migrants.
Later in the day, Roma Police Department (RPD) requested assistance from RGV agents with a failure to yield that resulted in a rollover in Roma, Texas. Agents responded and determined four of the occupants were nationals from El Salvador and Mexico illegally present in the United States. One migrant required medical treatment at a local medical facility. The migrant was later released with minor injuries and was transported to a Border Patrol facility. RPD took custody of the driver.
Later that night, RGV agents and DPS working on U.S. Highway 281 in Brooks County, Texas, initiated a traffic stop on a Cadillac Sport Utility Vehicle. The driver failed to yield and lost control resulting in a rollover. Agents encountered four noncitizens, who were medically evaluated by EMTs and didn’t require any further treatment. DPS took custody of the driver.
