CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Texas state troopers say they've discovered hundreds of stash houses since "Operation Lone Star" began in 2021. The border program is aimed at stopping the flow of migrants north of the Rio Grande.
Stash houses are the places smugglers use as one of the stops along migrants' travel north.
According to Texas DPS Sgt. Harold Mallory troopers have been working to uncover stash houses throughout South Texas.
"We have seen rundown houses, trailers filled to the brim, where you know migrants have been in there often left with little food and no water," Mallory said.
The state has been offering a $5,000 reward, since the border program launched in 2021, to anyone who sends in a good tip on a stash house. Since then, hundreds of stash houses have been discovered along with thousands of migrants.
"We've located at least 481 stash houses and when they say event that could mean multiple locations per event and we've also referred almost 5,000 migrants over to border patrol who were being held in those stash houses," Mallory said.
Kleberg County District Attorney John Hubert said the state's $5,000 reward offer leading to a stash house is another effective tool to help him fight illegal immigration throughout the county.
"The governor and the office of the Department of Public Safety are trying to give us more tools to break down the criminal organizations that are bringing in illegal aliens." Hubert said.
Kleberg County Sheriff Richard Kirkpatrick told 3NEWS that the stash houses are hard to spot and then raid.
"They're going to use these different structures, houses you know motels, you name it anything that they can place bodies in long enough to get ready to take them up country," Kirkpatrick said.
If you spot what you believe is a stash house you can call 1-800-252-8477. You could get $5,000 for your information and remain anonymous.
More from 3News on KIIITV.com:
- Kingsville police arrest man who called them to confess in murder case, then reportedly punched officer after questioning
- MasterChef Junior winner serves up pasta and smiles at Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Texas
- CCISD one of two Texas schools being accused of discrimination among other violations
- Texas State Aquarium otters make Super Bowl predictions known
- Former Coastal Bend priest ordered to pay victim $4 million as civil suit wraps Friday
- Boat washes up south of Bob Hall Pier, after investigation, gets new home
- Families, Medical Examiner's office enter mediation for botch autopsies accusations
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for your daily news and exclusive extended interviews.
Do you have a news tip? Tell 3!
Email tell3@kiiitv.com so we can get in touch with you about your story should we have questions or need more information. We realize some stories are sensitive in nature. Let us know if you'd like to remain anonymous.