Texas Border: CBP Seize $5M In Drugs, Arrest Gang Members, Imposters, Rescues 24 Adults And 5 Unaccompanied Children
For all of us to understand if there is a real problem or just political bloviation concerning our southern border with drug smuggling, human trafficking of adults and children, illegal immigrant crossings and gang activity, we need the numbers and facts…
By, Corridor Staff
Below you will find new information reported drug, smuggling, human trafficking and illegal crossings that have occurred either on the Texas border and ports over the week of July 25 – July 31, 2018.
As you read below, you may come to understand the issues on the U.S. and Mexico border are not a simple problem to be fixed by the current border security policies out of D.C.
It has been recently published by many media outlets that the drug, smuggling, human trafficking and illegal crossings have been consistently dropping over the last couple of years.
U.S. citizens are given inconsistent information on illegal crossings and criminal activity that is happening on the Mexico and U.S. border.
For all of us to understand if there is a real problem or just political bloviation concerning our southern border with drug smuggling, human trafficking of adults and children, illegal immigrant crossings and gang activity, we need the numbers and facts…
Texas isn’t the only state that shares a border with Mexico. Therefore, as you read the weekly report below, remember this information is only what is occurring on the Texas-Mexico border and Texas ports.
We gathered the information below directly from 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 have provided to you, we can only decipher the information that is released to us. Therefore the number of incidents, arrests, types of narcotics, weight and street value is considered the minimum amount.
Below you can find the totals of illegal crossing arrests, including their nationality & drug seizures including pounds, type of drug and “street value” total. Additionally, below you will find links for the last three weeks of border stats.
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:
- Aug. 1, 2018: TX Border: CBP Seize Over $19M In Drugs, Apprehend 13 Gang Members, Rescues Three Unaccompanied Children
- July 25, 2018: TX Border: CBP, ICE Rescue Unaccompanied Eight Year Old, Seize $10M In Drugs And Almost $1M In Cash
- July 18, 2018: Texas Border Operations: CBP Seize $12.7 Million In Drugs, Arrest 322, Including Gang Members, Child Molesters
- July 11, 2018: Texas Weekly Border Report Includes The Rescue Of Three Year Old Child Abandoned By Human Smuggler
NOTE: The totals below for arrests, apprehensions, seizures, drugs, etc. are ONLY what is reported by Customs & Border Protection. Corridor News is not responsible for what is NOT reported.
• Week of July 25 – July 31, 2018 •
Texas Border Reported Arrests/Apprehensions
Texas Border Reported Arrests/Apprehensions from the following counties;
• Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Brazil, Belize, China, and United States Weekly Total: 201
U.S. Citizens (USC)
Of those above there were…
• 3 U.S. Citizens (USC)
• 1 MS-13 Gang Member(s)
• 1 Paisa Gang Member(s) (paramilitary group)
• 1 Sex Offender(s)
• 1 Deceased/Fatalities
• 24 Rescue(s)
• 5 Children/Unaccompanied Children
Texas Weekly Drug Total Seizures & Estimated Street Price
NOTE: The totals are an estimate. U.S. dollar and pounds used.
WIKILEAF- Marijuana
• 806 lbs.
• $3,191,760 Million
- Cocaine
• 50 lbs.
• $1,814,320 Million
- Drug Weight Total:
856 lbs.
- Estimated Drug Street Value:
$5,006,080 Million
Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol agents arrest child smuggler
Release Date: August 7, 2018
Photo by CBPFALFURRIAS, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a woman attempting to smuggle three unaccompanied children through the checkpoint.
On Saturday evening, Falfurrias agents referred a Nissan Sentra to the secondary inspection area after the driver, a 43 year-old United States citizen, began interrupting the primary agent during the immigration inspection of all the occupants in the vehicle.
The investigation revealed that the woman was attempting to smuggle three unaccompanied children from Mexico through the checkpoint.
The driver’s biological children were inside the vehicle along with the unaccompanied children. The woman claimed she was the mother of all the children inside the vehicle.
Agents arrested the woman and her U.S. citizen children were turned over to an uninvolved family member.
The parents of the unaccompanied children were contacted and the children will be processed accordingly. The case remains under investigation.
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!”
Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter at @CBPRGV.
First Responder Imposter Arrested After Fleeing Rio Grande Valley Checkpoint in Falfurrias
Release Date: August 7, 2018
Photo by CBPFALFURRIAS, Texas – U. S. Border Patrol agents arrested a 30 year-old, United States citizen after a failed smuggling attempt at the Falfurrias checkpoint.
Early this morning, a marked Fire/Emergency Medical Service (EMS) vehicle arrived at the Falfurrias Checkpoint for inspection. During the primary inspection, a Border Patrol K-9 alerted to the vehicle. After agents referred the vehicle to the secondary inspection area, the driver fled the checkpoint at a high rate of speed.
Agents pursued the vehicle, which eventually came to an abrupt stop, and observed several subjects bail out. The driver, a United States citizen, and three of the fleeing passengers were quickly apprehended.
The passengers were determined to be Brazilian nationals who were illegally present in the United States. This case is currently under investigation and will be referred for prosecution.
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!”
Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter at @CBPRGV.
Border Patrol and Constables Disrupt Stash House in the Rio Grande Valley
EDINBURG, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Sector, working in collaboration with the Hidalgo County Constables Office Pct. 4, dismantled a stash house operation in Edinburg, Texas.
Agents identified the stash house and apprehended 29 illegal aliens. The individuals were from Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and China.
Agents referred the case for prosecution. All subjects will be processed 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!”
Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter at @CBPRGV.
Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol Agents encounter large group
WESLACO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Weslaco Border Patrol Station apprehended a group of 60 illegal aliens near Hidalgo, Texas.
On Saturday, agents patrolling along the Rio Grande encountered a large group of illegal aliens consisting of 25 family units (51 total subjects), seven unaccompanied children and two adults. The group was comprised of men, women and children from the countries of Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.
All subjects will be processed 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!”
Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter at @CBPRGV.
Cocaine Seizure at Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Checkpoint
FALFURRIAS, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol Agents discover several bundles of cocaine concealed inside a vehicle.
On Sunday afternoon, agents working at the Falfurrias Checkpoint referred a Ford Explorer to the secondary inspection area after a Border Patrol K-9 alerted to the vehicle.
During the inspection, agents discovered 20 bundles of cocaine weighing over 50 pounds and worth an estimated $1.6M. The driver, a United States citizen, was arrested.
The narcotics and the man have been turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case remains under investigation.
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.
Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter at @CBPRGV.
Border Patrol, DPS, and Constables team up to dismantle stash house operation in the Rio Grande Valley
MISSION, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Sector, working in collaboration with the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Hidalgo County Constables Office, interrupted a stash house operation in Mission, Texas.
As a result, agents apprehended 28 illegal aliens. The individuals were from Mexico, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Belize.
Agents referred the case for prosecution. All subjects will be processed 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!”
Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter at @CBPRGV.
Cartel Member Wanted for Murder Lands in Texas
HOUSTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers processed a cartel member, here, July 31, who is wanted in the murder of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian A. Terry.
The suspect, who was in the custody of FBI agents, was traveling through Houston to face charges in a federal court in Arizona.
Heraclio Osorio-Arellanes is the lone remaining member to face charges related to the December 14, 2010 killing of Terry.
The murder occurred during a gunfight between USBP agents and five members of a cartel “rip crew”. This crew allegedly patrolled the desert along the U.S.-Mexico border looking for opportunities to rob drug dealers. Four members of this rip crew have already been sentenced in the U.S.
“We have never ceased in our efforts to bring those involved in that gunfight to the U.S. to face charges for their heinous actions,” said CBP Commissioner Kevin McAleenan. “I am thankful to our partners in the law enforcement community both here and in Mexico who joined us in bringing this criminal to face charges in a U.S. court.”
This extradition will allow Osorio-Arellanes to charges related to Terry’s murder. A multi-agency effort including the U.S. Marshals, the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and CBP provided critical information to Mexican law enforcement effecting Osorio-Arellanes’ arrest April 2017 in Mexico.
CBP officers and U.S. Border Patrol agents joined FBI agents in guarding Osorio-Arrellanes during the three-hour layover before he was escorted aboard a flight to Arizona.
Terry was a member of the Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) in the Nogales, Arizona area of operations. He entered on duty as a member of the 699th Session of the Border Patrol Academy on July 23, 2007 and assigned to the Tucson Border Patrol Sector. Before joining the Border Patrol, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a police officer in his home state of Michigan.
Border Patrol Agent Rescues Narcotic Smuggler in the Rio Grande Valley
Release Date: August 4, 2018
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Fort Brown station interdicted a narcotic smuggling attempt and rescued one of the smugglers.
Yesterday evening, Fort Brown agents observed a pick-up truck that was loaded with bundles of marijuana departing the Rio Grande. Agents, along with the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office, attempted to stop the vehicle.
The driver of the pick-up drove back to the river area and three subjects bailed out of the vehicle and jumped into the river.
Agents observed one of the three subjects struggling to stay afloat as he attempted to swim back to Mexico. An agent went into the river and rescued the subject from drowning. Agents seized over 215 pounds of marijuana worth nearly $173,000.00.
The Cameron County Sheriff’s Office took custody of the subject, narcotics, and vehicle.
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.
Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter at @CBPRGV.
Border Patrol rescues fifteen illegal aliens and recovers one deceased in the Rio Grande Valley
Release Date: August 4, 2018
EDINBURG, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents continue rescue efforts in the Rio Grande Valley.
On Tuesday, Falfurrias agents responded to three separate 911 calls resulting in the rescue of five illegal aliens who were lost in the brush after they were abandoned by smugglers.
Agents provided basic medical attention and transported them to the Falfurrias Border Patrol Station for processing.
Later that day, agents encountered a Honduran woman and her juvenile son who were abandoned near Fronton, Texas. The woman began to vomit and became unresponsive. Agents extracted the woman from the dense foliage and requested an ambulance.
The woman was transported and admitted to the hospital where she is currently being treated for heat related illnesses.
Hours later, Brownsville agents encountered a distressed Mexican man complaining of back pain after illegally entering the United States.
A Border Patrol Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) evaluated the man and requested local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to transport the man to a local hospital.
Later that evening, a Weslaco agent discovered the body of a deceased man south of Pharr, Texas. Agents contacted local authorities and the Justice of the Peace who had the body transported to the Hidalgo County Coroner’s Office.
On Wednesday, agents responded to three separate calls from the Brooks County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) regarding groups of subjects who were abandoned by smugglers and lost in the ranchlands near Falfurrias, Texas.
Agents responded to GPS coordinates provided by BSCO and located a total of seven illegal aliens. One of the men was transported to a local hospital due to a heat related illness.
Shortly after, Rio Grande City agents encountered a distressed Guatemalan man who appeared to be suffering from heat related injuries near La Grulla. Agents quickly moved the man to an accessible location and requested EMS to transport the subject to a local hospital for medical treatment.
All subjects will be processed 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!”
Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter at @CBPRGV.
Operation Stonegarden Supports Border Security in the Rio Grande Valley
EDINBURG, Texas – The U.S. Border Patrol’s Rio Grande Valley Sector continues to coordinate border security efforts with state and local law enforcement agencies through Operation Stonegarden.
Operation Stonegarden provides funding to state and local law enforcement agencies to enhance border security and keep communities safe.
In July, under Operation Stonegarden, state and local law enforcement agencies arrested a total of 43 illegal aliens during four significant smuggling attempts. Some illegal aliens were discovered in the trunks of vehicles and others were found in local stash houses.
One of the individuals being smuggled was identified as having a prior conviction for Statutory Rape – 2nd Degree and had served one-year confinement for that crime.
All the individuals were turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol for appropriate processing.
In 2018, Operation Stonegarden received $85 million dollars in funding allocations nationwide. Operation Stonegarden supports enhanced cooperation and coordination among Customs and Border Protection (CBP), United States Border Patrol (USBP), and Federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies.
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!”
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.
Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter at @CBPRGV.
El Paso Sector Agents remain busy arresting lawbreakers
Release Date: August 2, 2018
FT. HANCOCK, Texas– U.S. Border Patrol Agents in Ft. Hancock took a man into custody who had been previously deported, but was in need of medical attention.
On July 28, agents working near Ft. Hancock were waived down by a local resident who said a man was in need of medical attention. The Agent stopped to assist the man, later identified as a 21-year old named Javier Buelna-Contreras. He appeared to be in a state of dehydration.
The agent facilitated his transport to Del Sol Medical Center in El Paso for extreme dehydration. Once released from the hospital, Contreras was transported back to the Ft. Hancock Border Patrol Station where he was processed as a “Reinstatement of a Prior Order of Removal”.
During a conversation with an agent, Contreras freely admitted to being an active “Paisa” gang member. Contreras was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility awaiting prosecution for re-entry after deportation 8 USC- 1326.
The following day, Border Patrol Agents from Clint arrested three illegal aliens who tried entering the country. The subjects were taken into custody near Clint, Texas. Once they arrived at the Clint Border Patrol Station for further processing, agents discovered that one of the men freely admitted to being an inactive MS-13 gang member.
He was identified as Oscar Fabricio Aviles, from El Salvador. Border Patrol Agents also discovered through criminal records that Aviles had previously been deported from the U.S. for numerous crimes he committed while living in Boston, Massachusetts, including a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon.
Each day, U.S. Border Patrol Agents exercise vigilance in protecting our country. Rapid response by agents, who are the first line of defense, helps prevent the furtherance of dangerous criminals into our communities, while keeping our nation’s borders safe.
Stash House in Roma Disrupted
Release Date: August 1, 2018
ROMA, Texas – Yesterday, U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Rio Grande City Station identified eight illegal aliens at a stash house.
Border Patrol agents responded to a call from the Roma Police Department after they identified a suspected stash house. Agents confirmed that the eight individuals inside were in the United States illegally and transported them to the Rio Grande City station for processing.
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!”
Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter at @CBPRGV.
Border Patrol Encounters Another Fraud Case
Release Date: August 1, 2018
MCALLEN, Texas – Yesterday, agents assigned to the Centralized Processing Center discovered an adult man and woman using a fraudulent birth certificate in an attempt to pass as father and child.
The man, a Honduran national, claimed he was the father of a 17-year-old female accompanying him. During an interview, the woman admitted to agents that the man was not her father and that the document in question was fraudulent. Subsequently, she provided her real name and date of birth. She is 18 years old and claims to be a friend of the male subject.
Both subjects will be processed 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!”
Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter at @CBPRGV.
Border Patrol Seizes Nearly 600 Pounds of Marijuana Worth Over $473K
Release Date: August 1, 2018
GARCENO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Rio Grande City Station disrupted a narcotic smuggling attempt.
Yesterday, close to midnight, agents observed five subjects loading a vehicle with narcotics near the Rio Grande. Shortly after, the vehicle departed the area at a high rate of speed.
As agents responded, the driver returned to the river and abandoned the vehicle. Agents saw the driver swim to Mexico along with five other subjects.
Inside the vehicle, agents found 591 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated value of $473,552.
Agents seized the vehicle and turned the narcotics over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and report suspicious activity at 800-863-9382.
Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter at @CBPRGV.
Despite the Dangers, Illegal Border Crossers Continue to Risk Their Lives
Release Date: August 1, 2018
EDINBURG, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley rescued two illegal aliens attempting to enter the United States.
Yesterday, agents assigned to the McAllen Border Patrol Station provided medical assistance to a Guatemalan national suffering from heat-related symptoms. Upon apprehension, the woman stated that she suffered from asthma. Agents immediately requested medical assistance and the woman was subsequently transported to a local hospital where she was admitted for evaluation and treatment.
Once medically cleared and discharged the woman will be processed accordingly.
Later that day, at the Sarita checkpoint, a Border Patrol K-9 alerted to a tractor/trailer spare tire area. An agent looked underneath the trailer and found a later-identified Guatemalan national hiding inside the spare tire.
The tractor/trailer driver was released due to not having knowledge of the illegal alien riding inside the spare tire compartment.
The Guatemalan national will be processed per CBP guidelines.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!”
Please visit www.cbp.gov/newsroom to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter at @CBPRGV.
