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 there will be a lapse of communication operations due to funding appropriation issues created by the government shutdown. When appropriations are re-enacted we will continue our weekly border series.
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.
• Week of Dec. 20 – Dec. 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)
• 6+ Arrests/Apprehensions (“+”: see note below)
Of those above there were…
• 1 Child Sex Offender
• 1 MS-13
• 3+ Vehicle(s) Seized (out of those; 1 was a commercial tractor trailers; 1 commercial passenger bus)
• Additional Seizures: Weapons, Drugs, Currency — totals not given
• Prior Criminal Conviction(s) & Current Charges: 1
•1 Convicted: Sex offense against a child, fondling
*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.
• Total Weight of Narcotics: 2,956.50 lbs.
• Estimated Street Value of Narcotics: $2,582,056.30 Million
Roma CBP Officers Seize Marijuana Valued Over $1,7M
December 21, 2018
ROMA, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Roma Port of Entry seized a significant amount of marijuana valued at more than $1.7 million in one enforcement action at the Roma International Bridge.
“Our frontline officers maintain constant vigilance in the cargo environment and every now and then we encounter narcotics loads of this magnitude,” said Port Director Andres Guerra, Roma Port of Entry. “This interception illustrates the quality enforcement work that our officers do on a daily basis.”
The seizure occurred on December 19 when a CBP officer referred a 2004 Kenworth tractor trailer hauling a shipment of Saltillo tile for secondary examination.
A canine and non-intrusive inspection by CBP officers resulted in the discovery of 180 packages containing 2,149 pounds of alleged marijuana that has an estimated street value of $1,737,896.30 million.
CBP officers seized the narcotics and turned the case over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents for further investigation.
CBP Officers Seize $214K in Cocaine Concealed in a Bus at Eagle Pass Port of Entry
December 21, 2018
EAGLE PASS, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers from the Eagle Pass Port of Entry recently seized cocaine valued at more than $212,000 in a single enforcement action at the Camino Real International Bridge II.
“The officers’ experience and training led to the interception of this significant narcotic load,” said Port Director Paul Del Rincon, Eagle Pass Port of Entry. “This is yet another example of the officers’ resolute efforts to disrupt criminal organizations.”
The seizure occurred on Sunday, December 16, 2018 when CBP officers were conducting commercial bus inspections at the international bridge.
CBP officers conducted an intensive secondary examination and a non-intrusive imaging (NII) system scan of the conveyance that resulted in the discovery of 21 packages containing 12.48 kg. (27.50 pounds) of cocaine.
The cocaine has an estimated street value of $214,564K.
CBP officers seized the bus and the narcotics and the case was turned over to state and local law enforcement for further investigation.
Border Patrol Arrests MS-13 Gang Member
December 21, 2018
Eagle Pass, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Eagle Pass North Station arrested a member of the Mara Salvatrucha, MS-13, criminal gang who had been previously deported.
“Border Patrol agents routinely encounter dangerous individuals while on duty securing our borders,” said Del Rio Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Matthew J. Hudak. “The men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol are committed to stopping any threat to the safety and security of our nation.”
On Dec. 18, Border Patrol agents arrested a Honduran national near Eagle Pass shortly after he made an illegal entry by crossing the Rio Grande River.
Records checks revealed that he had been previously deported and that he is a confirmed member of the notorious MS-13 gang, a violent trans-national criminal organization, operating in many parts of the United States.
His prior order of removal will be reinstated, and he faces prosecution under 8 USC § 1326 – Reentry After Deportation, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 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.
Border Patrol Recover Body from Rio Grande
December 21, 2018
DEL RIO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol marine agents assigned to the Eagle Pass South Station recovered a deceased person in the Rio Grande River, Thursday.
“Agents patrolling the Rio Grande located, and in conjunction with our first response partners, recovered a body” said Del Rio Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Matthew J. Hudak. “The recovery of a deceased body is one of the grimmest events our agents confront. This incident highlights the danger and unpredictability of the Rio Grande River.
Border Patrol agents conducting patrol operations downriver of the Eagle Pass ports of entry located a floating body on the morning of Dec. 20. With the help of the Eagle Pass Fire Department, agents were able to extract the deceased, a male, from the water and turned the remains over to Maverick County officials.
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.
Del Rio Border Patrol Arrests Sex Offender
December 21, 2018
Honduran deported five years ago captured after crossing illegally
DEL RIO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Eagle Pass Station arrested a convicted sex offender in Eagle Pass, Wednesday.
On Dec. 19, Eagle Pass agents arrested a 26 year old Honduran national after he illegally entered the United States. Record checks revealed he has a criminal history, including a conviction in 2012 for a sex offense against a child, fondling, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The man was sentenced to serve 255 days in prison and is registered as a sex-offender. He was removed from the United States in 2013.
“Del Rio Sector is committed to ensuring the safety of our communities,” said Del Rio Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Matthew J. Hudak. “Thanks to the hard work and diligence of our agents, another dangerous sex offender has been stopped from committing any more crimes in the United States.”
As a convicted felon who has been previously removed from the United States, he faces a charge of 8 USC § 1326 – re-entry after deportation, 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 Hinders Smuggling Attempts in the Rio Grande Valley
December 20, 2018
EDINBURG, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley Sector arrest four narcotic smugglers and assists the Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS) in disrupting a smuggling attempt.
Monday afternoon, Harlingen agents working near Bluetown, Texas, observed four subjects carrying bundles of marijuana north of the Rio Grande. As agents responded, the subjects entered a cane field in an attempt to hide. Agents, along with a Border K-9 team, entered the cane field and located four illegal aliens.
A search continued of the area led to the discovery of the narcotics weighing over 190 pounds, worth an estimated $153,653K. The Border Patrol turned over the narcotics to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Tuesday, Fort Brown agents responded to the report of several subjects carrying bundles of narcotics near Brownsville, Texas.
As mobile units responded, agents observed a Jeep leave the area at a high rate of speed. After a brief pursuit, agents lost sight of the vehicle and requested assistance from Texas Department of Public Safety troopers.
The troopers located the vehicle and advised it had collided with another vehicle at the intersection of Security Drive and Boca Chica Boulevard. After a brief foot pursuit, troopers and agents apprehended the driver and passenger of the Jeep.
A search of the vehicle revealed over 360 pounds of marijuana, worth an estimated $291,132K. This incident remains under investigation by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Wednesday morning, Rio Grande City agents observed several subjects carrying narcotic bundles north of the Rio Grande. As agents encountered the smugglers, they abandoned the narcotics and fled to Mexico.
Agents seized four bundles of marijuana weighing over 230 pounds, worth an estimated $186,001K. The Drug Enforcement Administration took custody of the narcotics and Border Patrol processed the subjects accordingly.
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