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Technology Supports US RGV Agents

US Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) agents disrupt two smuggling attempts and encounter three large groups.

On April 29, Falfurrias Border Patrol Station (FLF) camera operators observed a suspicious vehicle pulling a stock trailer across private property and notified agents in the area. Agents responded to the area and discovered a section of the privately owned fence, located near the highway, torn down and the truck and stock trailer were gone. Moments later, FLF agents working near Premont encountered the truck and stock trailer and attempted to initiate an immigration inspection on the vehicle. The driver failed to yield and led the agents on a vehicle pursuit. The driver crashed the truck through a ranch perimeter fence before several occupants bailed out of the vehicle. A search of the stock trailer revealed 25 migrants, to include two unaccompanied children all illegally present in the U.S. Agents searched the surrounding area for the driver and other suspects; however, none were located.

McAllen Border Patrol Station (MCS) camera operators observed a gray Ford Fusion load up migrants in a well-known smuggling area in La Joya. A CBP Air and Marine Operations helicopter was in the area and responded to assist. MCS agents initiated a vehicle stopped on the Ford resulting in the apprehension of four migrants who were all unlawfully present in the United States. The driver, a U.S. citizen, was arrested and transported to the station.

RGV agents encountered three large groups totaling 343 noncitizens within a 24-hour span. The groups consisted of 236 single adults, 72 family members, and 35 unaccompanied children. The migrants are from Central and South America and Cuba.

Image courtesy US CBP