Texas Border: CBP Apprehend Seven Child Sex Offenders, Three Gang Members, Over $16M In Hard Narcotics
This is our home, and to most Texans, the border isn’t a political issue or a tool to use against another political party; this is a safety and security issue, for us, our children, families, friends and our local and national law enforcement…
by Melissa Jewett, Publisher
NOTE: Due to the lack of information that is currently available from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, we reached out and were informed that protecting the border is their first priority; currently, they are heavily involved in caravan operations as portions of the caravan have reached the Texas Border. Therefore, we expect what information we receive will be minimal for the time being.
Below you will find the latest information available for reported drug smuggling, human trafficking and illegal crossings that have occurred on the Texas border and ports over the week of November 8 – November 14, 2018.
It has been published by many news outlets around the country that the criminal activity on our Texas-Mexico border has been consistently dropping over the last couple of years, and Americans and Texans have been given inconsistent information on what is occurring on our border.
Our U.S. border issues are complex, and they affect all Texans. This is our home, and to most Texans, the border isn’t a political issue or a tool to use against another political party; this is a safety and security issue for us, our children, families, friends and our local and national law enforcement.
As you read below, we hope the information provided will help all Texans to better understand the problems happening on our southern border and what we need to do to repair our current immigration laws and policies that stem from our lawmakers in D.C.
However, to better understand if these are real problems or just political bloviation concerning our southern border with drug smuggling, human trafficking of children and adults, unaccompanied children and illegal immigrant crossings that include gang members and many from terrorist countries, we need the real numbers, facts and statistics.
Texas isn’t the only state that shares a border with Mexico. Therefore, as you read our weekly report below, remember this information is only what is occurring on the Texas-Mexico border and Texas ports.
This information has been gathered and compiled directly from information given to us by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which is under the purview of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
As for the accuracy of the information we are providing to you, we can only decipher the information that is released to us. Therefore, the number of incidents, arrests, types of narcotics, weight or the street value of said narcotics is considered the minimum amount.
We give the totals of illegal crossing arrests, including their nationality, drug seizures including weight and “street value” totals, current charges or convictions of those apprehended and other items to help all of us make educated decisions. Additionally, we include links to our other weekly border stories.
All people apprehended by the Border Patrol undergo criminal history checks using biometrics to ensure their criminal histories are positively identified. To report suspicious activity such as alien and/or drug smuggling, contact their website at http://www.cbp.gov. Or follow them on Twitter at @CBPRGV.
The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and to help save lives by reporting suspicious activity at 800-863-9382.
Read related border coverage:
- Dec. 13, 2018: Texas Border: CBP Arrest Child Sex Offenders, Gang Members And Seize Almost $11 Million In Hard Narcotics
- Dec. 6, 2018: Texas Border: CBP Seize $10M In Narcotics, Arrest Seven Gang Members And Six Child Sex Offenders
- Nov. 22, 2018: Texas Border: CBP Arrest Gang Members, U.S. Citizens For Drug Trafficking & Seize $4.8 Million In Drugs
NOTE: The totals below for arrests, apprehensions, seizures, drugs, etc. are ONLY what is reported by Customs & Border Protection to us. There are multiple incidents that happen everyday on all U.S. borders that aren’t reported. Corridor News is not responsible for what is NOT reported or incorrectly reported.
• Week of Dec. 13 – Dec. 19, 2018 •
Texas Border Reported Arrests/Apprehensions
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Reported Arrests/Apprehensions from the following counties;
• El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Kosovo, Mexico and USC (U.S. Citizen)
• 249+ Arrests/Apprehensions (“+”: see note below)
Of those above there were…
• 7 Child Sex Offender
• 3 MS-13
• Yes… UAC (Unaccompanied Children)
• Yes… UAJ (Unaccompanied Alien Juvenile(s))
• Yes… Family Units
• 8+ Vehicle(s) Seized (out of those 4 was a commercial tractor trailers)
• Additional Seizures: Weapons, Drugs, Currency — totals not given
• Prior Criminal Conviction(s) & Current Charges: 7
•1 Conviction of lewd and lascivious conduct/ registered sex offender
•1 Conviction of rape on a victim less than 17 years old
•1 Conviction of aggravated assault / registered sex offender
•1 Conviction of for sex with a minor
•1 Pending Charges: assault on a federal officer
•1 Conviction of Statutory Rape
•1 Conviction for indecency with a child sexual assault
•1 Conviction of enticement of a minor for indecent purposes
*Note: “+”; U.S. Customs and Border Patrol did not list exact or specific totals or countries on some reported incidents.
Texas Border Weekly Narcotic Seizures & Estimated Street Price
NOTE: The totals below are an estimate. U.S. dollar and pounds used.
• 381. lbs.
• $10,786,336.60 Million
• 6,563. lbs.
• $5,307,498.10 Million
• Total Weight of Narcotics: 6,944 lbs.
• Estimated Street Value of Narcotics: $16,093,834.70 Million
Border Patrol continues to Arrest Criminal Aliens in the Rio Grande Valley
December 19, 2018
Edinburg, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley arrested four sex offenders and an MS-13 gang member.
On Friday, Falfurrias agents arrested a group of eight illegal aliens attempting to circumvent the checkpoint through the ranch lands in Brooks County, Texas.
Within the group, agents identified a Guatemalan national whose record checks revealed a previous arrest and conviction in Martin County, Florida for attempted lewd and lascivious conduct. The man received 20 months in prison and is a registered sex offender in the state of Florida.
On Sunday morning, agents foiled a smuggling attempt in Roma, Texas, resulting in the apprehension of 12 illegal aliens. During processing, record checks of one of the smuggled aliens confirmed the Salvadoran national is a member of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang.
That afternoon, McAllen agents arrested a Honduran man traveling with his juvenile child near Penitas, Texas. Record checks on the man revealed a previous arrest and conviction in Newburgh City, New York, for rape on a victim less than 17 years old. The man received 18 months in prison.
Later that evening, agents in McAllen arrested a Salvadoran national near Abram, Texas. Record checks on the man revealed a previous arrest and conviction in Modesto, California, for sex with a minor. The man received 270 days in prison and 36 months’ probation.
On Monday evening, Rio Grande City agents apprehended a group of six illegal aliens who illegally entered the United States near Escobares, Texas.
During processing, record checks on one of the men revealed a previous arrest and conviction in Lawrenceville, Georgia, for aggravated assault and is a registered sex offender in the State of Georgia.
The Border Patrol is processing the subjects accordingly.
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Border Patrol Seizes over 1,000 pounds of Marijuana in the Rio Grande Valley
December 19, 2018
Edinburg, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents continue to encounter narcotic smuggling attempts throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
Just after midnight, Rio Grande City agents responded to illicit activity near La Rosita, Texas. As agents arrived, they observed several subjects drop bundles on the ground and return to the riverbank.
The subjects then jumped into the river and swam to Mexico. An inspection of the bundles revealed over 350 pounds of marijuana, worth an estimated $283,045K.
Later this morning, Border Patrol agents responded to the report of suspicious activity near Rio Grande City, Texas. Upon arrival, responding agents observed several subjects running toward the Rio Grande. Agents pursued the fleeing subjects and witnessed them jump into the river and return to Mexico.
An immediate search of the area resulted in the seizure of eight bundles of marijuana weighing over 700 pounds, valued at an estimated $566,090K.
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Border Patrol Disrupts Several Smuggling Attempts in the Rio Grande Valley
December 19, 2018
Edinburg, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley arrested over 80 illegal aliens in several alien smuggling attempts over the weekend.
On Sunday morning, Kingsville agents working at the Sarita Checkpoint referred a Ford F-250 hauling a cargo trailer to the secondary inspection area after a Border Patrol K-9 alerted to the vehicle. During the investigation, agents discovered 13 illegal aliens hidden inside. Agents arrested the driver and the illegal aliens.
That afternoon, McAllen agents responded to a report of several subjects jumping over the fence near Anzalduas Port of Entry and load into a Dodge Charger.
Mobile units encountered the vehicle near Ware Road on Military Highway and conducted a traffic stop. During the investigation, agents identified four passengers in the vehicle as illegal aliens. Agents arrested the driver and front passenger and took the illegal aliens into custody.
Over the weekend, agents foiled an additional 17 alien smuggling attempts resulting in the apprehension of 71 illegal aliens.
Border Patrol is processing all subjects accordingly.
The Rio Grande Valley Sector currently has multiple campaigns focused on rescues and danger awareness, such as “Operation Big Rig” and “No Se Arriesgue” to combat smuggling and ultimately save lives. Call 911 to report suspicious activity; “They’re humans, not cargo!”
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Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Seizes nearly 1,000 pounds of Marijuana
December 19, 2018
Edinburg, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents continue to encounter narcotic smuggling attempts throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
On Saturday, agents working near Los Ebanos, Texas, spotted several subjects who had just crossed the Rio Grande carrying bundles of narcotics.
Agents responded to the area in all-terrain vehicles and observed the smugglers abandon the bundles and return to Mexico. Agents seized six bundles of marijuana weighing over 320 pounds, worth an estimated $258,784K.
Early Sunday morning, agents working at the Falfurrias Checkpoint referred a GMC 2500 to the secondary area after a Border Patrol K-9 alerted to the pickup. During the investigation, agents located four bundles of marijuana inside the tool box. Agents arrested the driver and turned the case over to the Brooks County Sheriff’s Office for prosecution.
On Sunday afternoon, National Guard soldiers alerted Harlingen agents to several subjects crossing the Rio Grande carrying bundles of narcotics near Calaboz, Texas.
As agents responded to the area, the smugglers abandoned one of their bundles and returned to Mexico. After a search, agents located a 94-pound bundle of marijuana and turned it over to the Drug Enforcement Administration with an estimated street value of $76,017.80
Agents throughout the Rio Grande Valley Sector stopped an additional seven narcotic smuggling attempts resulting in the seizure of nearly 500 pounds of marijuana over the weekend with an estimated street value of $404,350
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Border Patrol Agent Assaulted in Eagle Pass
December 19, 2018
Eagle Pass, Texas – An agent from the Eagle Pass Station was assaulted during an encounter along the Rio Grande River. The assailant, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, illegally entered the United States.
“This incident is an example of the threats and risks faced by U.S. Border Patrol agents as they work to secure the border,” said Del Rio Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Mathew J. Hudak. “We take any assault of our agents seriously. We will seek maximum penalties available under the law of anyone who assaults a Border Patrol agent.”
Border Patrol agents, on Friday, encountered an individual in distress and calling for help from the middle of the Rio Grande River. An agent retrieved a flotation device from his service vehicle but before the agent could deploy it, the subject had made it safely to the United States side of the river.
The agent placed the subject under arrest and while escorting him to a service vehicle, the subject became combative and a struggle ensued. The agent subdued the subject and took him into custody. Neither the subject nor the agent sustained any significant injuries.
The subject, a 31-year-old Mexican national, is being charged with 18 USC § 111 – assault on a federal officer. The subject faces up to eight years in prison.
The Del Rio Border Patrol Sector is part of the Joint Task Force-West South Texas Corridor, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations.
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Triple Play: CBP Officers Intercept $6 Million in Methamphetamine in Three Seizures at Laredo Port of Entry
December 18, 2018
Laredo, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers executed a triple play this weekend, seizing a total of $4 million in methamphetamine in three separate enforcement actions.
“Our CBP officers capped off a strong week of enforcement activity with a perfect triple play; $4 million in methamphetamine intercepted in three separate seizures this weekend,” said Port Director Albert Flores, Laredo Port of Entry. “This heavy volume of methamphetamine underscores the vice grip of drug addiction and demand in the U.S. and the commitment of CBP in preventing this poison from reaching our streets.”
The largest of the three seizures occurred on Friday, Dec. 14 at the World Trade Bridge when a CBP officer referred a 2004
Freightliner tractor hauling a flatbed trailer
with a shipment of stone for a secondary examination.
Following a canine and non-intrusive imaging system inspection, CBP officers discovered 83 containers loaded with a total 210 pounds of alleged methamphetamine within the conveyance. The narcotics have an estimated street value of $5,945,226 million.
Also on Dec. 14, CBP officers discovered five packages containing a total of nearly 39 pounds of methamphetamine in an express consignment shipment within an electric mini-refrigerator. The narcotics have an estimated street value of $1,104,113.40.
The last seizure occurred on Saturday, Dec. 15 at Gateway to the Americas Bridge when CBP officers utilizing canines and a non-intrusive imaging system discovered 38 pounds of methamphetamine within a 2004 Ford F-150 pickup truck with an estimated street value of $1,075,802.80.
In all three seizures, CBP officers seized the narcotics. The pickup truck and flatbed trailer also were seized.
All three cases were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.
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Border Patrol Agents Assist Residents Following Windstorm
December 14, 2018
Carrizo Springs, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Carrizo Springs Station assisted the Dimmit County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Department, Texas Department of Transportation personnel and electric company crews following damage to homes and infrastructure caused by high winds in the area.
“Many of our agents live in the communities they patrol throughout the Del Rio Sector. They are prepared to respond to dangerous and rapidly evolving situations. In this case, agents assisted their neighbors and fellow public servants in the midst of perilous winds and low temperatures,” said Del Rio Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Mathew J. Hudak.
In the afternoon hours of Dec. 13, Border Patrol agents responded to a request for assistance from the Dimmit County Sheriffs Office. Sustained winds of 30 to 40 miles per hour, with gusts in excess of 50 miles per hour, caused extensive damage and power outages throughout Carrizo Springs.
Agents worked with other first responders to assist residents and provided traffic control at various locations as a result of downed power lines, billboards, and trees in roadways. There were also reports of roofs being torn off buildings and homes, complicating an already difficult situation for the community.
The Del Rio Border Patrol Sector is part of the Joint Task Force-West South Texas Corridor, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations.
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Laredo Port of Entry CBP Officers Intercept Another Significant Load of Narcotics; Latest Find Worth Over $2.6 Million
December 14, 2018
Laredo, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers intercepted a significant amount of hard narcotics with an estimated street value of more than $2.6 million in one enforcement action at the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge.
“Our frontline CBP continue to maintain their vigilance and utilize their inspections skills and experience as pre-Christmas traffic starts to increase,” said Port Director Albert Flores, Laredo Port of Entry. “Our CBP officers’ hard work, perseverance and utilization of canines and our non-intrusive
imaging systems resulted in the interception
of this significant load of methamphetamine.”
The seizure occurred on Thursday, Dec. 13 at the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge when a CBP officer referred a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado driven by a 27-year-old woman, accompanied by a 28-year-old woman, both of them Mexican citizens from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico for a secondary examination.
Upon a canine and non-intrusive imaging system inspection by CBP officers, a total 94 pounds of alleged methamphetamine was discovered. The narcotics have an estimated street value of $2,661,194.40.
CBP officers seized the narcotics and the vehicle. The occupants of the vehicle were arrested and the case was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.
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Rio Grande Valley Stash House Take Down leads to Sex Offender Arrest
December 14, 2018
San Juan, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol Agents along with the Hidalgo County Constables Office disrupt active stash house operation and discover sex offender among those arrested.
Thursday, agents assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Special Operations Detachment, along with the Hidalgo County Constables Office Precinct 4, identified a stash house operating out of a residence in San Juan, Texas.
Inside the house, agents and officers discovered nine illegal aliens from the countries of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. Agents transported all the subjects to the Weslaco station for processing.
During processing, record checks for a Guatemalan male revealed a previous arrest and conviction in Kansas City, Missouri, for Statutory Rape. The Border Patrol is processing all subjects accordingly.
The Rio Grande Valley Sector currently has multiple campaigns focused on rescues and danger awareness, such as “Operation Big Rig” and “No Se Arriesgue” to combat smuggling and ultimately save lives. Call 911 to report suspicious activity; “They’re humans, not cargo!
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Border Patrol Blocks Marijuana Smuggling Attempts in the Rio Grande Valley
December 14, 2018
Edinburg, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol Agents interdict narcotic smuggling attempts.
Wednesday night, agents working at the Sarita Checkpoint referred a tractor-trailer to the secondary inspection area after a Border Patrol K-9 alerted to the trailer.
At secondary, the inspection revealed over 173 pounds of marijuana commingled with produce. The narcotics has an estimated value of $139,905.10K.
The Drug Enforcement Administration took custody of the subject, narcotics and tractor-trailer.
Thursday, Rio Grande City Border Patrol Agents working near Roma, Texas, observed a dark colored sports utility vehicle leaving a well-known smuggling location at a high rate of speed.
As agents attempted to conduct a vehicle stop, the driver abruptly stopped and bailed out in an attempt to escape.
Agents located the man after a brief search of the area with the assistance of a Border Patrol K-9 team. A search of the vehicle revealed nearly 137 pounds of marijuana, worth an estimated $110,791.90K.
The Starr County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force took custody of the narcotics, driver and vehicle.
The Rio Grande Valley Sector currently has multiple campaigns focused on rescues and danger awareness, such as “Operation Big Rig” and “No Se Arriesgue” to combat smuggling and ultimately save lives. Call 911 to report suspicious activity; “They’re humans, not cargo!”
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Brownsville Port of Entry CBP Officers Seize Over $3.1M in Marijuana at Veterans International Bridge Cargo Import Lot
December 14, 2018
Brownsville, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers assigned to the Brownsville Port of Entry seized 3,919 pounds of marijuana concealed within a commercial shipment of plastic scrap at the Veterans International Bridge Cargo Import Lot.
“This significant interception of narcotics in the cargo environment reiterates the commitment, diligence, and expertise of our CBP officers in keeping harmful substances from entering our country,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry.
The seizure took place on Wednesday, Dec. 12 at Veterans International Bridge cargo import lot when CBP officers referred a 1999 Volvo tractor and dry box trailer
hauling a shipment of plastic scrap for a
secondary examination.
Upon inspection of the shipment of plastic scrap, and with the assistance of a CBP narcotic detector canine and the use of non-intrusive imaging technology (NII), CBP officers discovered and removed 305 packages of alleged marijuana with a total weight of 3,919 pounds.
The estimated street value of the narcotics is approximately $3,169,295.30.
CBP officers seized the narcotics along with the tractor and trailer, and turned the case over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents for further investigation.
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Border Patrol Stops Narcotic Smuggling Attempt in the Rio Grande Valley
December 13, 2018
Brownsville, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents foiled a smuggling attempt near the Rio Grande and seized nearly $299,219K worth of marijuana.
Tuesday afternoon, agents from the Fort Brown Station working in Brownsville, Texas, observed a small silver pickup traveling north of the Rio Grande. As agents approached the vehicle, the driver abruptly turned back towards the river.
Agents observed the driver bail out and swim to Mexico. A search of the truck’s bed revealed several bundles of marijuana weighing over 370 pounds, worth an estimated $299,219K.
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Border Patrol Arrests Gang Members and Sex Offenders in the Rio Grande Valley
December 13, 2018
Edinburg, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley arrested two gang members and two child predators in less than 24 hours.
Tuesday night, Rio Grande City agents working near Roma, Texas, arrested a Salvadoran male. During processing, record checks revealed the man is a Mara Salvatrcuha (MS-13) gang member.
A short time later, Falfurrias agents working near Falfurrias, Texas, arrested four illegal aliens on a local ranch. During processing, record checks of a Mexican male revealed a previous arrest and felony conviction in Houston, Texas, for indecency with a child sexual assault. The man received a sentence of 2 years confinement.
This morning, agents from the Rio Grande City station working near Roma, Texas, arrested a Guatemalan male. During processing, record checks revealed he is a member of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang.
A few hours later, McAllen Border Patrol agents working near Penitas, Texas, arrested a Mexican male. During processing, record checks revealed a previous arrest by the Santa Ana, California, Sheriff’s Department. The man received 9 months confinement for enticement of a minor for indecent purposes.
The Border Patrol is processing the subjects accordingly.
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Large Groups Continue to Cross in the Rio Grande Valley
December 13, 2018
Abram, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley encountered over 100 illegal aliens in a single smuggling incident.
This morning, McAllen agents responded to a report of illegal aliens being smuggled across the Rio Grande near Abram, Texas. Upon arrival, agents requested additional support for a group totaling over 100 subjects.
Agents took custody of 113 illegal aliens, mainly comprised of family units and unaccompanied children from the countries of Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Kosovo.
Border Patrol is processing the subjects accordingly.
The Rio Grande Valley Sector currently has multiple campaigns focused on rescues and danger awareness, such as “Operation Big Rig” and “No Se Arriesgue” to combat smuggling and ultimately save lives. Call 911 to report suspicious activity; “They’re humans, not cargo!”
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