According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office, within a span of less than 48 hours, authorities have intercepted five different alleged human smuggling attempts at a single port of entry into the U.S.
Over the weekend, there were five distinct incidents of alleged human smuggling that took place at the Del Rio Port of Entry in Texas. These attempts occurred from Friday morning through Sunday, and all five were intercepted by officers from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations (CBP). The CBP officials successfully apprehended the suspects involved in these smuggling attempts within a span of less than two days.
On Friday morning at around 8 a.m., a female United States citizen driving a passenger vehicle arrived from Mexico at the Del Rio International Bridge. CBP officers on duty encountered the vehicle and referred all the passengers inside for a secondary examination. This marked the first attempted breach.
During the examination and interview process, it came to light that the driver had presented two U.S. passports for an adult female and a minor male. Upon closer inspection, it was revealed that both passengers were citizens and nationals of Mexico and did not possess any valid entry documents, as confirmed by CBP.
At around 3 a.m. on Saturday, CBP officers came across a female United States citizen who was driving a passenger vehicle and arriving from Mexico. The driver provided a U.S. birth certificate for an adult female, according to CBP.
According to a statement from CBP, a Mexican citizen without valid documents to enter or travel to the U.S. was flagged for a secondary examination by a CBP officer. This examination took place in five separate instances.
Around an hour later, at 4 a.m. on Saturday morning, CBP officers encountered a female United States citizen driving a passenger vehicle from Mexico. The driver presented two U.S. birth certificates for two adult male passengers who were pretending to be minors, according to CBP.
After conducting a thorough investigation and engaging in interviews, CBP officers revealed that both individuals were Mexican nationals and the entry documents they possessed did not match their identities.
Around 9 p.m. on Saturday evening, a male Mexican citizen drove a passenger vehicle from Mexico, only to be intercepted by CBP officers in a subsequent investigation. It was revealed that the driver, along with his wife, who is also a Mexican citizen, were trying to conceal an adult male in the cargo area of the vehicle, as reported by CBP.
According to CBP, the adult son, who is a citizen and national of Mexico, was later identified as the male involved in the incident. The individual did not possess any valid entry documents.
On Sunday morning at around 7 a.m., CBP officers at the Del Rio Port of Entry in Texas had their final encounter. They came across a female United States citizen who was driving a passenger vehicle and had just arrived from Mexico. The driver presented a U.S. birth certificate for a minor female.
During the final attempted breach, CBP officers successfully intercepted the situation by referring all vehicle passengers for a secondary examination. Through thorough interviews and examinations, it was revealed that the minor involved was a Mexican citizen without proper documentation to enter or travel to the United States. This discovery was made by the diligent efforts of CBP officers.
CBP officers have taken action by apprehending three U.S. citizens and one Mexican citizen for suspected violations of U.S. immigration laws. Additionally, four vehicles have been seized in relation to these alleged attempts to smuggle humans.
Port Director Liliana Flores of the Del Rio Port of Entry emphasized that these five notable events are a powerful reminder of the legal and criminal consequences that come with violating U.S. immigration laws. The successful detection and prevention of these smuggling attempts reflects our unwavering dedication to maintaining the security of our borders.