Laredo Sector Border Patrol Rescues 59 Illegal Aliens in Three Events
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Jun 9, 2017, Comments Off
Courtesy Sarah Melendez,
LAREDO, Texas – The first event occurred on June 2, 2017, at the Border Patrol Checkpoint on Interstate Highway 35 when border Patrol agents encountered a tractor-trailer at the primary lane. The driver and passenger were questioned regarding their immigration status and consented to further inspection. A non-intrusive inspection of the tractor-trailer resulted in the rescue of 48 illegal aliens inside the refrigerator locked trailer. The 48 illegal aliens were determined to be from the countries of Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala. The driver, a United States Citizen was arrested.
The second event occurred on June 5, 2017, also at the Border Patrol Checkpoint on Interstate Highway 35 when Border Patrol agents encountered a white Ford van at the primary lane. The driver was questioned regarding his immigration status and was referred for further inspection after a Border Patrol canine alerted to the presence of concealed humans and/or narcotics. A further search of the vehicle resulted in the rescue of six illegal aliens concealed in two separate, non-factory locked wooden cabinets in the rear of the van. The six illegal aliens were determined to be from the countries of Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala. The driver, a United States Citizen was arrested.
The third event occurred on June 8, 2017, at the Border Patrol Checkpoint on Highway 83 when Border Patrol agents encountered a white Chevrolet van at the primary lane. The driver was questioned regarding his immigration status and was referred for further inspection after a Border Patrol canine alerted to the presence of concealed humans and/or narcotics. A further search of the vehicle resulted in the rescue of five illegal aliens concealed in two separate, non-factory wooden boxes inside the van. The five illegal aliens were determined to be from the countries of El Salvador and Guatemala. The driver, a United States Citizen was arrested.
“The disregard for human life in which these persons were subjected to and the inhumane conditions that they were placed in demonstrates how callous and heartless these smugglers can be,” said Laredo Sector Assistant Chief Patrol Agent Gabriel Acosta.
The Laredo Sector Border Patrol will continue to warn against the dangers of people crossing illegally into the United States through dangerous environmental conditions. Our Border Safety Initiative (BSI) is a humanitarian, bi-national strategy designed to reduce illegal alien deaths, educate and inform potential illegal aliens of the dangers and hazards of crossing the border illegally, and to respond to those who are in life-threatening situations.
To report suspicious activity, call 1-800-343-1994.
