CBP thwarts smuggling attempts in South Texas

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:24:25 GMT

Texas Customs and Border Protection agents recently found nine people being smuggled into the U.S. in a shipment of fresh produce.

The tractor-trailer was stopped at the Javier Vega Jr. checkpoint at Sarita, Texas, on Jan. 19, according to a news release. Sarita is about 75 miles north of Harlingen, Texas.

The truck was referred to a secondary checkpoint, and a Border Patrol K-9 “alerted” to the trailer, according to the release. CBP officers found the nine Mexican and El Salvadorian nationals “trying to conceal themselves within the crates of produce,” according to the release, which did not specify what produce was being transported.

The Rio Grade Valley CBP sector has multiple campaigns focused on rescues and danger awareness, including “Operation Big Rig,” according to the release. The anti-smuggling campaigns ask residents to report suspicious activity.

Two other smuggling incidents over the weekend at the Falfurrias, Texas, checkpoint led to the arrests of 28 other people.

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