Texas Weekly Border Roundup: CBP Apprehend 435, 9 Sex Offenders, Seize Over $41 Million In Drugs
David LeDoux
TEXAS – Below, you will find the latest information available for reported drug smuggling, human smuggling and trafficking, and illegal crossings over the Texas border and ports over the past week.
Most news outlets report snippets of the issues that happen on our southern border and only when it fits within their political ideology, all the while downplaying, exaggerating, misleading, and inconsistent information about our southern border activity.
Our border issues are complex, and they affect all Texans and Americans.
Texas is our home. 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 our children, families, friends, and local and national law enforcement.
To better comprehend the complex issues of drug smuggling, human and sex trafficking of children and adults, unaccompanied children, and illegal immigrant crossings, including child molesters, convicted criminals, murderers, gang members, where they come from, we need real numbers, facts, and statistics.
The information we provide ONLY encompasses the Texas and Mexico border.
This information has been gathered and compiled directly from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) information, which is under the purview of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
As for the accuracy of the information below, we can only decipher and report the information released. Therefore, the number of incidents, arrests, types of narcotics, weight, or the street value of said narcotics is considered the minimum amount.
As you read, we hope the information provided will help all Texans and Americans better understand the complexity of our current immigration laws and policies created by our D.C. lawmakers.
All people apprehended by the Border Patrol undergo criminal history checks using biometrics to ensure their criminal histories are positively identified.
The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and help save lives by reporting suspicious activity at 1-800-863-9382 or contacting their website at http://www.cbp.gov.
JUST THE FACTS
TEXAS BORDER APPREHENSIONS & SEIZURES
| APPREHENSIONS & SEIZURES (*Excluding narcotics. For narcotics, see table below) |
TOTAL |
| TOTAL ARRESTS/APPREHENSIONS | 435 – ADULTS 10 – U.S. CITIZENS |
| ABANDONED UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN |
TOTAL: 4 …1- A FOUR-YEAR-OLD SALVADORAN NATIONAL …1- A ONE-YEAR-OLD CHILD NO HOME COUNTRY NOT PROVIDED …2- SIBLINGS: TWO-YEAR-OLD AND A SIX-YEAR-OLD GIRL HONDURAN ……..NATIONALS |
| RESCUED/MEDICALLY |
1 – US CITIZEN |
| SEX OFFENDERS (Previously Convicted) | 7 – OVERALL TOTAL OF SEX OFFENDER 5 – OF THE 6 WERE SEX CRIMES AGAINST A …..CHILD(REN)*MORE DETAILS BELOW |
| SEIZURE(S) |
1 – LOADED .45 CALIBER FIREARM 1 – THREE LOADED MAGAZINES 1 – $81,000 IN UNREPORTED U.S. CURRENCY 1 – COMMERCIAL SHIPMENT OF FRESH BROCCOLI 1 – 240 XANAX PILLS 1 –1500 TRAMADOL PILLS 1 – COMMERCIAL SHIPMENT OF CORN HUSKS 1 – FLATBED TRAILER 1 – UTILITY TRAILER 1 – COMMERCIAL SHIPMENT OF FURNITURE AND …..APPLIANCES 1 – .357 MAGNUM REVOLVER 1 – 302 ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION 1 – ECSTASY PILLS |
| SEIZED PASSENGER VEHICLES | 15 |
| SEIZED COMMERCIAL VEHICLES | 4 – COMMERCIAL TRACTOR TRAILERS |
| GANG MEMBERS APPREHENDED |
1 – MARA SALVATRUCHA (MS-13) 1 – LOS METROS (GULF CARTEL) |
| COUNTRIES OF APPREHENSIONS (Home countries of those apprehended/arrested) (USC: United States Citizen) |
BRAZIL, ECUADOR, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, NICARAGUA, MEXICO, UNITED STATES & VENEZUELA |
APPREHENSIONS WITH PREVIOUS U.S. CONVICTIONS
| HOME COUNTRY & NAME | CONVICTION(S) OR ALLEGED CRIME(S) COMMITTED |
LOCATION OF CRIME | SENTENCE OR OUTSTANDING WARRANT |
| GUATEMALAN NATIONAL AMOS NEMIAS LOPEZ-RAMIREZ |
CONVICTION OF… MARA SALVATRUCHA (MS-13) GANG MEMBER AND PRIOR CONVICTION OF ASSAULT |
HARRISONBURG, VIRGINIA |
SENTENCED TO…
|
| GUATEMALAN NATIONAL JOSE COTTOC-MACHIC |
CONVICTION OF… SEXUAL ASSAULT-RAPE 2ND DEGREE |
RUSSELLVILLE, ALABAMA |
SENTENCED TO… |
| SALVADORAN NATIONAL JOSE VASQUEZ-CHAVEZ |
CONVICTION OF… SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD |
KATY, TEXAS |
SENTENCED TO… |
| MEXICAN NATIONAL FERNANDO JIMENEZ-RODRIGUEZ |
CONVICTION OF… INDECENCY WITH A CHILD |
DALLAS, TEXAS |
SENTENCED TO… |
| MEXICAN NATIONAL EFRAIN SILLERO-GALINDO |
CONVICTION OF… AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD |
AUSTIN, TEXAS |
SENTENCED TO… TEN-YEAR IMPRISONMENT |
| SALVADORAN NATIONAL ALVARO HUMBERTO ALEMAN-MERLOS |
CONVICTION OF… MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE |
LOCATION OF CRIME/ARREST NOT PROVIDED | SENTENCED TO… 25 YEARS TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT |
| HONDURAN NATIONAL JOSE VILLATORO-SIMON |
CONVICTION OF… AGGRAVATED SEXUAL BATTERY / VICTIM INCAPACITATED |
FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA |
SENTENCED TO… FOUR-YEARS IMPRISONMENT |
| GUATEMALAN NATIONAL LUCAS MORALES-PEREZ |
CONVICTION OF… THREE COUNTS OF 3RD DEGREE RAPE |
WOODBURN, INDIANA | SENTENCED TO… 120 DAYS CONFINEMENT AND 60 MONTHS PROBATION |
| HOME COUNTRY NOT PROVIDED MARIO SALVADOR MENDOZA-RODRIGUEZ |
CONVICTION OF… LEWD OR LASCIVIOUS ACT WITH A CHILD UNDER 14 YEARS |
LOCATION OF ARREST/CRIME NOT PROVIDED | SENTENCED TO… 72 MONTHS IMPRISONMENT |
| NATIVE COUNTRY OF GUATEMALA IN US LEGALLY ALVARO CASTILLO HAS BEEN FOUND GUILTY |
CONVICTION OF… THREE COUNTS OF PRODUCTION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY; ONE COUNT OF ATTEMPTED PRODUCTION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY; ONE COUNT OF TRANSPORTATION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY; AND ONE COUNT OF POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY DURING THE INVESTIGATION IT WAS FOUND THAT CASTILLO TRAVELED TO GUATEMALA AND VIDEO-RECORDED HIMSELF SEXUALLY ABUSING A 13-YEAR-OLD VICTIM. |
PECOS, TEXAS | AS OF 11-21-2020, CASTILLO HAS NOT BEEN SENTENCED |
WEEKLY NARCOTIC SEIZURES
| TYPE OF NARCOTIC | WEIGHT | STREET VALUE |
| COCAINE | 37.5 lbs. | $593,000 |
| HEROIN |
5.10 lbs. | $198,000 |
| MARIJUANA | 2,103.79 lbs. | $1,681,054 |
| METHAMPHETAMINE | 693.82 lbs. | $14,204,000 |
| LIQUID METHAMPHETAMINE |
1255 lbs. | $25,000,000 |
| TOTAL | 4,095.21 lbs. | $41,676,054 |
..
WHERE WE GET OUR INFORMATION
.
CBP Enhances Biometrics for Non-U.S. Travelers Entering and Exiting the United States 
Friday, November 20, 2020 | WASHINGTON—U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced today a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the Department of Homeland Security’s…
Man With Hidden Gun/Ammo Initially Stopped By CBP Officers Now Found Guilty On Child Pornography Charges
Friday, November 20, 2020 | EL PASO, Texas – A 64-year-old U.S. citizen, Alvaro Castillo, initially encountered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Presidio…
CBP Officers Seize $337K in Hard Narcotics at Hidalgo International Bridge
Friday, November 20, 2020 | HIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations at the Hidalgo International Bridge made three compact but significant…
Attempt to Smuggle People in Furniture and Appliances Discovered at Checkpoint
Friday, November 20, 2020 | LAREDO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the checkpoint on U.S. Highway 83 discovered a human smuggling attempt in which people were being…
Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol Arrests Group of 61
Friday, November 20, 2020 | EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol agents arrest 100 illegal aliens during three enforcement actions…
Border Patrol Foils Flatbed Trailer Human Smuggling Attempt
Thursday, November 19, 2020 | LAREDO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Interstate Highway 35 checkpoint foiled a human smuggling attempt in a flatbed trailer north of…
CBP Officers Thwart Dallas Woman’s $1 Million Methamphetamine Smuggling Attempt at Hidalgo International Bridge
Thursday, November 19, 2020 | HIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations at the Hidalgo International Bridge kept a 21-year-old woman, a U.S…
CBP Field Operations Takes Down Substantial Drug Load of Methamphetamine Worth Over $25 Million at Pharr International Bridge
Thursday, November 19, 2020 | PHARR, Texas—Officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility hit the…
Border Patrol Seizes more Cocaine and Marijuana in the Rio Grande Valley
Thursday, November 19, 2020 | EDINBURG, Texas – On Wednesday, Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol agents seized more than $565K worth of narcotics…
RGV Agents Encounter a Six and Two Year Old Abandoned in Roma, Texas
Thursday, November 19, 2020 | ROMA, Texas – Yesterday evening, Rio Grande City agents working in…
Law Enforcement Agencies Collaborate to Thwart Multiple Smuggling Attempts in the RGV
Thursday, November 19, 2020 | EDINBURG, Texas – Several Rio Grande Valley law enforcement agencies working together stopped three human smuggling attempts across the RGV within a…
Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Arrests Two More Sex Offenders
Thursday, November 19, 2020 | EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol agents arrested two illegal aliens with prior convictions for sexual offenses…
Joint Collaboration Leads to the Discovery of Four Stash Houses in the Rio Grande Valley
Wednesday, November 18, 2020 | EDINBURG, Texas – Since Monday, U.S. Border Patrol agents working in collaboration with state and local authorities disrupted four stash houses, which led…
Border Patrol Agents Find One-Year-Old Child
Wednesday, November 18, 2020 | HIDALGO, Texas – McAllen Border Patrol Agents discover a one-year-old child abandoned among a group of 18 illegal aliens…
Border Patrol Agents Seize Marijuana, Cocaine, and Pills
Wednesday, November 18, 2020 | EDINBURG, Texas – On Tuesday, Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol agents seized more than $270K worth of narcotics…
Convicted California Murderer Arrested in RGV
Wednesday, November 18, 2020 | EDINBURG, Texas – Border Patrol agents arrested a convicted murderer, and sex offender…
CBP Officers at the Roma Port of Entry Seize Over $600,000 in Methamphetamine
Tuesday, November 17, 2020 | ROMA, Texas —U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations officers at the Roma Port of Entry seized more than $600,000 in…
Convicted Sex Offender Arrested by Border Patrol Agents
Tuesday, November 17, 2020 | Carrizo Springs, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Carrizo Springs Station arrested a…
CBP Officers Help Save Life Of Woman In Distress
Tuesday, November 17, 2020 | EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Ysleta port of entry rendered lifesaving first aid to a woman in distress…
CBP Field Operations Scores Big with $11 Million Methamphetamine Seizure at Pharr International Bridge
Tuesday, November 17, 2020 | PHARR, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility hit a home run this past…
More than Half a Million Dollars of Marijuana Seized at Freer Checkpoint
Monday, November 16, 2020 | LAREDO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Freer Station checkpoint foiled an attempt to smuggle marijuana into the country west of Freer…
Alien Smuggling Attempt Disrupted by Collaborative DHS Agency Work
Monday, November 16, 2020 | EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents working in coordination with Homeland Security Investigations disrupted a smuggling attempt last week…
CBP Officers Stop Man with a Gun and $81,000 in a speaker box
Monday, November 16, 2020 | PRESIDIO, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Presidio Port of Entry seized one firearm with three magazines, $81,000 in…
Five Criminal Aliens Arrested in the Rio Grande Valley
Monday, November 16, 2020 | EDINBURG, Texas – Over the weekend, Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol agents arrested three sex offenders and two members of violent criminal organizations…
Rio Grande Valley Agents Discover Abandoned Four Year Old Amongst Large Group
Monday, November 16, 2020 | HIDALGO, Texas – Border Patrol agents located several illegal aliens, including a 4-year-old traveling alone.
Over $1.5M of Narcotics Intercepted by Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol
Monday, November 16, 2020 | EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol agents seize more than $1.5M worth of narcotics over the weekend…
Human Smuggling Attempts Result in 74 Apprehensions in the Rio Grande Valley
Monday, November 16, 2020 | EDINBURG, Texas – Over the weekend, Rio Grande Valley agents foiled six human smuggling attempts and, in the process, seized marijuana and a loaded firearm…
