Texas Border: CBP Arrest Gang Members, U.S. Citizens For Drug Trafficking & Seize $4.8 Million In Drugs
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 1-800-863-9382.
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.
• Week of Nov. 15 – Nov. 21, 2018 •
Texas Border Reported Arrests/Apprehensions
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Reported Arrests/Apprehensions from the following counties;
• El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico,and USC (U.S. Citizen)
• Arrests/Apprehensions Weekly Total: 60+ (“+”: see note below)
Of those above there were…
• 3+ USC (U.S. Citizen(s)
• Where the USC Citizen(s) legally reside: 1- San Antonio; 1- Houston and 1- Reynosa, Mexico
• 2+ 18th Street Gang Member(s)
• 5+ Vehicle(s) Seized (commercial tractor trailers: 1)
• Additional Seizures: Weapons, Drugs, Currency — totals not given
*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.
• 229.42 lbs.
• $4,463,415
• 51.03 lbs.
• $393,500 Million
• Total Weight of Narcotics: 280.45 lbs.
• Estimated Street Value of Narcotics: $4,856,915
CBP Field Operations Seizes Close to $1 Million in Narcotics at Pharr International Bridge
Release Date: November 21, 2018
Packages containing 43 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at Pharr International Bridge. | Photo by U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionPHARR, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility arrested a 30-year-old man from Rio Bravo, Tamaulipas, Mexico after discovering $953,000 worth of methamphetamine and cocaine within the commercial truck he was driving.
“I commend our officers assigned to the cargo facility for their vigilance and continued efforts in processing legitimate trade and simultaneously having an enforcement mindset, which resulted in the discovery of these hard narcotics,” said Port Director David Gonzalez, Hidalgo / Pharr /
Anzalduas Port of Entry.
CBP officers working at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility on Nov. 19 encountered a Mexican truck driver with a commercial shipment of fresh produce arriving from Mexico.
The shipment was selected for further inspection, which included utilizing a non-intrusive imaging system (NII), and ultimately, officers discovered 10 packages of alleged methamphetamine and five packages of alleged cocaine.
The methamphetamine weighed 43 pounds (19.4 kg) valued at $859,500 and the cocaine weighed 12.13 pounds (5.5 kg) with a street value of $93,500.
CBP OFO seized the narcotics, the tractor and arrested the driver who was then turned over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation.
CBP Officers Seize Hard Narcotics Worth Over $296K at the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge
Release Date: November 21, 2018
LAREDO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers intercepted a significant amount of narcotics with an estimated street value of more than $296,000 in one enforcement action.
“This seizure was an excellent interception from our CBP officers,” said Port Director Albert Flores, Laredo Port of Entry. “Our officers remain alert and continue to protect our nation from drugs and people who pose a threat to our communities and our way of life.”
The seizure occurred on Tuesday, Nov. 20 at Juarez-Lincoln Bridge when a CBP officer referred a 2012 Mitsubishi LGT driven by a 28-year-old female United States citizen, resident of San Antonio, Texas for a secondary examination.
Upon a canine and non-intrusive imaging inspection by CBP officers, a total of 14 packages containing 21 pounds of alleged methamphetamine was discovered. The narcotics have an estimated street value of $296,915.
CBP officers seized the narcotics and the vehicle. The driver was arrested and the case was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.
Vehicle Bailout in Zapata Results in Arrest of Nine Illegal Aliens
Release Date: November 21, 2018
LAREDO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Zapata Station assisted the Zapata County Sheriff’s Office (ZCSO) with the apprehension of nine individuals.
On the night of November 19, agents received a call for assistance from ZCSO deputies regarding a vehicle pursuit that had resulted in a bailout in Zapata, Texas.
The deputies had two individuals in custody who were determined by the agents to be Mexican nationals illegally within the United States.
A search of the area led to the apprehension of seven more illegal aliens; another from Mexico and six from Guatemala. All nine illegal aliens were taken into custody by U.S. Border Patrol and processed accordingly; ZCSO seized the vehicle.
To report suspicious activity such as alien and/or drug smuggling, download the “USBP Laredo Sector” App on Google Play or Apple iTunes.
CBP at Hidalgo International Bridge Seizes Close to $500K in Narcotics
Release Date: November 21, 2018
HIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge arrested three women in connection with two failed drug smuggling attempts of methamphetamine and cocaine worth $490,000.
“People who choose to get involved in illicit activities such as drug or human smuggling will face the consequences of their actions,” said Port Director David Gonzalez, Hidalgo/ Pharr/ Anzalduas Port of Entry. “We will seek the fullest punishment allowed by law for all violators encountered at our ports of entry.”
The first seizure occurred on Friday, Nov. 16 at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge after a CBP officer referred two Mexican citizen women from Reynosa, Mexico, ages 19 and 22, in a silver 2009 Volkswagen Jetta for further inspection.
A canine team assisted in the inspection, which resulted in the discovery of 15 packages of alleged cocaine that were concealed within the vehicle.
CBP OFO seized the drugs weighing 36.20 pounds (16.42 kg) and the vehicle as well. The estimated street value for the narcotics is $279,000.
CBP officers at the same border crossing on Nov. 18 encountered a 23-year-old woman from Houston, Texas driving a white Dodge Grand Caravan arriving from Mexico.
After a thorough inspection, which included utilizing a non-intrusive imaging system (NII), officers detected eight packages of alleged methamphetamine and one of cocaine hidden within the minivan.
CBP OFO seized the minivan and the 9.5 pounds (4.30 kg) of methamphetamine and 2.7 pounds (1.24 kg) of cocaine, which have a street value of $190,000 and $21,000, respectively.
CBP OFO arrested the three women encountered with narcotics and subsequently turned them over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation.
Border Patrol’s Eagle Pass Marine Unit Saves Family from Drowning
Agents noticed several individuals in the Rio Grande River, clinging to the stone pillars of the International Bridge. | Photo by U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionRelease Date: November 20, 2018
EAGLE PASS, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Marine Unit in Eagle Pass rescued a family of five Honduran nationals who were stuck in the swift waters of the Rio Grande River.
“Every year multiple lives are lost to the inherent hazards of trying to cross illegally into the United States,” said Del Rio Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Mathew J. Hudak. “In Texas, one of the biggest perils that migrants can face is an unforgiving Rio Grande River. Fortunately for this family, the diligence and quick thinking of the Eagle Pass Marine Unit saved five more lives from certain tragedy.”
In the afternoon hours of Nov. 17, agents from the Eagle Pass Station were conducting maritime operations when they noticed several individuals in the Rio Grande River, clinging to the stone pillars of the International Bridge.
The agents immediately navigated their service vessel to the individuals and assisted them from the swift water into the airboat.
Once all were safely aboard, agents transported the people to dry land where they determined that all five were nationals of Honduras and were part of a family group that included children as young as six years old.
Eagle Pass Border Patrol agents rescued a family of five Honduran nationals. | Photo by U.S. Customs and Border Protection
The individuals were all in good health, refused any medical treatment, and were transported to the Eagle Pass South Border Patrol Station for processing per CBP guidelines.
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.
Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Arrests Gang Members
Release Date: November 16, 2018
EDINBURG, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley arrested two gang members over the course of the past week.
Sunday morning, Rio Grande City agents arrested a Salvadoran national near Roma. During processing, records checks revealed the man is an 18th Street Gang member.
Wednesday afternoon, McAllen agents apprehend a group of 39 illegal aliens near Hidalgo. During processing, the Guatemalan male admitted to being a member of the 18th Street Gang.
The Border Patrol is processing the subjects accordingly.
CBP Field Operations Makes Substantial Methamphetamine Seizure Worth Over $3 Million at Anzalduas International Bridge
Release Date: November 15, 2018
ANZALDUAS, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Anzalduas International Bridge arrested a 22-year-old United States man, who resides in Reynosa, Mexico, after detecting $3,117,000 worth of methamphetamine hidden within the Chevy pickup he was driving.
“This was yet another example of the excellent work our officers perform daily as part of the regular duties of a CBP officer,” said Port Director David Gonzalez, Hidalgo/Pharr/ Anzalduas Port of Entry. “Not only are we responsible for facilitating legitimate trade and travel but simultaneously we enforce hundreds of U.S. regulations, which includes drug laws.”
On Nov. 14, CBP officers assigned to the Anzalduas-Reynosa International Bridge referred a white 2004 Chevy Colorado and its sole occupant for further inspection.
While inspecting the vehicle in secondary, which included a non-intrusive imaging system inspection (NII), officers discovered 20 packages of alleged methamphetamine concealed within the Chevy pickup.
Officers removed and seized 155.82 pounds (70.68 kg) of the drug and seized the vehicle as well. CBP OFO arrested the man and then turned him over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation.
