Three Failed Smuggling Attempts Lead to 32 Arrests

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

EDINBURG – (News Release) Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol (RGV) agents disrupted three migrant smuggling attempts within an eight-hour span resulting in 32 arrests. 

On March 15, RGV agents working near Encino, Texas, attempted to conduct an immigration inspection on the occupants of a Ford F150. The driver failed to yield and led agents on a vehicle pursuit. The pursuit came to an end when the driver went through a ranch fence causing damage. Several subjects were observed absconding into the nearby brush. A search of the immediate area resulted in the apprehension of nine migrants from El Salvador, Ecuador, Mexico, and Guatemala. The driver was not located.

About an hour later, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) had a vehicle pursuit with a Chrysler 300 near Mission. McAllen Border Patrol Station (MCS) agents were requested and determined the five occupants to be noncitizens from Mexico. DPS took custody of the driver, a United States Citizen, to face state charges.

Later that afternoon, MCS agents observed a GMC Sierra leaving an area near the Rio Grande at a high rate of speed in a well-known smuggling area south of Mission. When responding agents attempted to interdict, the driver led agents on a vehicle pursuit. DPS troopers responded to assist. The driver eventually came to a stop north of Mission, where multiple people were observed fleeing. A search of the immediate area resulted in the apprehension of nine Mexican nationals, two Honduran nationals, five Salvadoran nationals, and one Guatemalan national. Within this group, there were three children ranging in age from one to nine years old. The driver was not located.

All subjects were processed accordingly.