NOTE: Due to the recent government shutdown, Corridor News did not receive any updates from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP). It was not until the first business day after the government re-opened (Monday, January 28) that we started receiving information once again.
Therefore, the Texas border information below is what has been reported from Monday, January 28 through Wednesday, January 30.
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.
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:
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.
• Jan. 28 – Jan. 30, 2019 •
Texas Border Reported Arrests/Apprehensions
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Reported Arrests/Apprehensions from the following counties;
• El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and USC (U.S. Citizen)
• Arrests/Apprehensions: 46+ (“+”: see note below)
Of those above there were…
• Child Sex Offender: 2
• US Citizen: 2
• Child(ren): 1
• Gang Member(s): MS-13 – 1
• Seizures
° $2,141,685 US Dollars,
° Various other currencies (no amount given),
° 17 Firearms & Annunciation,
° Passenger Vehicle(s) Seized: 3
° 300 Boxes/Vials of Steroids: Type & Street value not given
• Arrests/Apprehensions with Prior Criminal Conviction(s) & Current Charges: 4
• 1 Convicted: 2012 for child molestation in Decatur, Illinois.
• 1 Convicted: A 1996 rape in La Grange, Kentucky
• 1 Convicted: Aggravated assault, burglary, aggravated sexual assault during robbery, criminal sexual contact, guilty of burglary- entering structure, a felony in the state of New Jersey
• 1 Convicted: Attempted Murder-2nd degree in the state of New York
*Note: “+”; U.S. Customs and Border Patrol did not list specific totals and/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.
• Total Weight of Narcotics: 1,976.34 lbs.
• Estimated Street Value of Narcotics: $5,488,495 Million
Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Operations Unaffected Despite Shut Down
EDINBURG, Texas – On January 25th, President Donald Trump ended the longest government shut down after signing a continuing resolution that funded the government for three weeks while Congress and the Administration continue to negotiate a long-term agreement.
During the 35-day shutdown, Border Patrol operations continued as agents in the Rio Grande Valley Sector apprehended nearly 17K illegal aliens, seized more than 15K pounds of marijuana and nearly 900 pounds of cocaine. Additionally, agents located and took down 19 stash houses.
Border Patrol Seizes Over 1,500 Pounds of Marijuana in the Rio Grande Valley
EDINBURG, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents continue to encounter narcotic smuggling attempts in the nation’s busiest sector.
Late Sunday evening, McAllen Border Patrol agents working near Havana, Texas, responded to a report of several subjects carrying bundles of narcotics along the Mexican riverbank.
Agents continued to watch the smugglers as they crossed illegally into the United States.
Shortly after the smugglers made landfall on the U.S. riverbank, agents moved in to intercept the group.
As agents made contact with the group, the smugglers abandoned the marijuana and fled to Mexico. Agents seized over 230 pounds of marijuana worth over $186K.
Over the past three days, Rio Grande Valley Sector agents have disrupted a total of nine narcotic smuggling attempts resulting in the seizure of 1,500 pounds of marijuana.
Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol arrests Gang Member and Criminal Alien
EDINBURG, Texas – Border Patrol agents continue to encounter and arrest gang members and convicted criminal aliens in the Rio Grande Valley.
Saturday, McAllen agents working near Hidalgo, Texas, arrested a Salvadoran male after entering the country illegally. During processing, record checks revealed the man is an active MS-13 gang member.
Monday morning, agents from the McAllen Border Patrol Station apprehended a group of eight illegal aliens near Mission, Texas, shortly after entering the United States.
Record checks for a Guatemalan male revealed an arrest and conviction for Attempted Murder-2nd degree in the state of New York. The presiding judge sentenced the man to five years confinement.
The Border Patrol is processing the subjects accordingly.
CBP Officers Seize Heroin Valued More Than $750K at the Colombia-Solidarity International Bridge
LAREDO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers at the Laredo Port of Entry intercepted a significant narcotic load with an estimated street value of more than $750,000 in one enforcement action over the weekend.
“I congratulate our frontline officers for their firm commitment to carry out the CBP mission and protect the public from illegal narcotics,” said Port Director Albert Flores, Laredo Port of Entry.
The seizure occurred on Saturday, Jan. 26 at the Colombia-Solidarity International Bridge when a CBP officer referred a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan hauling a 2018 utility trailer for a secondary examination.
During a canine and non-intrusive imaging inspection, CBP officers discovered 21 packages containing a total of 28 pounds of alleged heroin within the trailer. The narcotics have an estimated street value of $752,400.
CBP officers seized the narcotics and the vehicle.
The case was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.
Convicted and Previously Deported Felon Caught at Border
EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol Agents arrested a previously deported felon and his child as he attempted to enter the United States illegally near the Bridge of the Americas.
Border Patrol Agents working in El Paso arrested a family unit that consisted of a father and son from Guatemala as they attempted to enter the United States illegally January 24.
During processing Border Patrol agents identified the subject as 45-year-old Lauro Garcia-Perez from Guatemala. Border Patrol agents also found that Garcia had an extensive criminal history in New Jersey.
Garcia was charged in 2005 for aggravated assault, burglary, aggravated sexual assault during robbery, and criminal sexual contact, and was found guilty of burglary- entering structure, a felony in the state of New Jersey, and sentenced to four years of confinement.
Garcia and his son are both pending immigration proceedings at this time. His attempt has been thwarted thanks to the efforts of the U.S. Border Patrol, keeping convicted criminals out of our communities.
During fiscal year 2018 and up until late August, the U.S. Border Patrol arrested nearly 8,000 illegal aliens with criminal backgrounds and or outstanding warrants.
CBP Field Operations Seizes over $3 Million in Narcotics and $1 Million in Unreported Currency at Rio Grande Valley International Bridges During Recent 35-Day Period
HIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry remained vigilant during the temporary lapse in appropriations and seized $3,118,000 in cocaine and methamphetamine and seized $1,153,135 undeclared U.S. currency in separate, unrelated incidents.
“I want to commend our frontline officers who kept their sense of responsibility and continued vigilance during this trying time,” said Port Director David Gonzalez. “Our officers persevered and did not waver from CBP’s top missions, which includes keeping dangerous drugs from entering our country through our international bridges.”
In separate, unrelated incidents, CBP Field Operations officers assigned to the Hidalgo, Pharr and Anzalduas International Bridges seized 124.34 pounds (56.40 kg) of alleged cocaine, 108 pounds (49 kg) of alleged methamphetamine along with over 300 boxes/vials of steroids. Officers also seized $1,153,135 unreported U.S. currency that was discovered while working outbound operations at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge.
Along with these notable seizures, CBP officers arrested 32 persons with outstanding arrest warrants and also encountered people attempting to enter the United States utilizing someone else’s immigration entry documents.
CBP OFO was able to accomplish these outstanding seizures through great officer inspection techniques, the assistance of canine teams, non-intrusive imaging technology and the utilization of all available tools and resources.
CBP OFO arrested those individuals involved in the illicit activities and the cases remain under investigation by the office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), McAllen, Texas.
It is not a crime to carry more than $10,000, but it is a federal offense not to declare currency or monetary instruments totaling $10,000 or more to a CBP officer upon entry or exit from the U.S. or to conceal it with intent to evade reporting requirements. Failure to declare may result in seizure of the currency and/or arrest. An individual may petition for the return of currency seized by CBP officers, but the petitioner must prove that the source and intended use of the currency was legitimate.
Marijuana in truck bed seized by CBP
Pick up bed drug load. | Photo by CBPPRESIDIO, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations officers working at the Presidio port of entry seized 216 pounds of marijuana Friday morning.
The drugs were concealed in a false bed of a pick-up truck.
“Using false bed compartments in pick-up trucks is commonly used by smugglers,” said Michael Neipert, CBP Presidio Port Director, “but officer experience coupled with state of the art detection equipment leads to failed smuggling attempts.”
The seizure was made just after 7 a.m. on Friday, January 25, 2019 when a male driver accompanied by a male passenger applied for entry at the primary inspection station.
The two occupants were in a 2005 Ford F-150 pick-up truck. The primary officer noted inconsistencies in the driver’s travel itinerary and sent the vehicle to secondary for an intensive inspection.
In secondary the vehicle was sent for an x-ray exam where anomalies were seen within the bed of the truck. Drilling of the bed resulted in extraction of a green leafy substance which field tested positive for the properties of marijuana. A total of 109 bundles were extracted from the vehicle.
CBP officers took custody of the driver, a 21-year-old United States citizen and his 65 year old Mexican citizen passenger.
Both individuals were arrested and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement HSI agents in connection with the failed smuggling attempt.
While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in impressive numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.
Del Rio Border Patrol Agents Arrest Two Sex Offenders Over the Weekend
Sex Offenders Previously Deported
DEL RIO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Carrizo Springs and Brackettville stations apprehended two convicted sex offenders in separate incidents over the weekend.
“Apprehensions like these highlight our commitment to the safety and security of our communities,” said Del Rio Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Matthew J. Hudak. “Our agents work diligently every day to prevent dangerous individuals, like these two sex offenders, from entering our the county.”
On Jan. 24, Border Patrol agents from the Carrizo Springs Station arrested a 53-year-old Mexican national for illegal entry into the United States.
Records checks revealed he was convicted in 2012 for child molestation in Decatur, Illinois. The man served five years of a 10-year sentence and was removed from the United States in April 2017.
On Jan. 27, Border Patrol agents from the Brackettville Station arrested a 48-year-old Mexican national for illegal entry into the United States.
Records checks revealed he was arrested and convicted in 1996 of rape in La Grange, Kentucky. The man served two years of a five-year sentence and was removed from the United States in September 1998.
Both individuals face prosecution for 8 USC § 1326 – illegal reentry after removal, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
All individuals arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol undergo criminal history checks using biometrics to ensure those with criminal history or gang affiliation are positively identified.
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.
Border Patrol Agents Seize Weapons Near Carrizo Springs
DEL RIO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Carrizo Springs Station seized 17 firearms along with ammunition after receiving a call from a concerned citizen.
“This seizure is a testament to the vital role that the men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol have in safeguarding our borders and protecting our communities,” said Del Rio Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Matthew J. Hudak.
On the morning of Jan. 25, Border Patrol agents received a call from a concerned citizen regarding suspected illegal immigrants
carrying large duffel bags on a ranch near
Carrizo Springs.
Agents responded to the area and discovered two backpacks containing four handguns and 13 assorted rifles and shotguns individually wrapped in blankets. Additionally, agents discovered an assortment of ammunition as well as various currencies.
The firearms and the rest of the items were turned over to the Dimmit County Sheriff’s Office.
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.
CBP Officers Seize Nearly $1 Million in Unreported Currency at Juarez-Lincoln Bridge
LAREDO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers Juarez-Lincoln Bridge recently seized nearly $1 million in unreported currency hidden within a passenger vehicle during an outbound examination.
“Our frontline CBP officers continue to maintain resolute vigilance in both the inbound and outbound environments and their attention to detail helped to detect a significant load of unreported currency,” said Port Director Alberto Flores, Laredo Port of Entry. “Large outbound currency seizures like these deny the ability of transnational criminal organizations to profit from alleged illicit activity, impacting them directly.”
The seizure occurred on Friday, Jan. 25 at Juarez-Lincoln Bridge when a CBP officer conducting outbound examinations selected a 2010 Nissan Maxima driven by a 20-year-old female U.S. citizen for examination.
After initial inspection utilizing a non-intrusive imaging systems scan, CBP officers conducted an intensive physical examination and discovered 53 bundles containing a total of $988,550 in unreported currency hidden within the vehicle.
CBP officers seized the currency and arrested the driver. The case was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.
It is not a crime to carry more than $10,000, but it is a federal offense not to declare currency or monetary instruments totaling $10,000 or more to a CBP officer upon entry or exit from the U.S. or to conceal it with intent to evade reporting requirements. Failure to declare may result in seizure of the currency and/or arrest. An individual may petition for the return of currency seized by CBP officers, but the petitioner must prove that the source and intended use of the currency was legitimate.
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