Three Failed Smuggling Attempts Lead to 16 Arrests

EDINBURG, Texas – On Jan. 6, Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol (RGV) agents and local law enforcement partners work together to disrupt human smuggling.

In the afternoon, the Mission Police Department (MPD) contacted the McAllen Border Patrol Station (MCS) requesting assistance with a vehicle stop involving possible human smuggling. An MCS agent responded to the location and upon arrival, conducted an immigration inspection on all the subjects. Agents determined four Chinese occupants were illegally present in the United States. MPD seized the vehicle and took custody of the driver to be charged with human smuggling. The agent took custody of the four migrants and transported them to the station.

That evening, MPD officers requested assistance from MCS agents after receiving information that a residence in Mission was involved in possible illegal activity. Upon arrival, law enforcement officials discovered three adult males and two unaccompanied children illegally present in the United States. No caretaker was identified.

Hours later, RGV agents working near Linn, Texas, initiated a traffic stop on a Dodge pick-up. The driver refused to stop, and a pursuit ensued. The pursuit came to an end when the driver crashed into a fence and several subjects were seen fleeing the vehicle. A search of the immediate area resulted in the apprehension of seven migrants. Agents searched the immediate area, however, did not locate the driver.