SARITA, Texas — U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Javier Vega, Jr. Checkpoint in Sarita, Texas discovered 27 undocumented immigrants concealed inside a tractor-trailer on the morning of August 21.
Early Friday morning, Kingsville agents referred a 51-year-old United States citizen, driving a tractor-trailer to secondary inspection after a Border Patrol K-9 alerted agents to the trailer.
"Inside the trailer, agents discovered a total of 27 illegal aliens comprised of men and women from the countries of Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Costa Rica. Agents offered the subjects basic medical attention and escorted the group into the checkpoint for processing," stated Border Patrol.
Border Patrol officials say the case was turned over to Homeland Security Investigation Corpus Christi Office for federal prosecution.
The Rio Grande Valley Sector currently has several active campaigns focused on rescues and danger awareness, such as “Operation Big Rig” and “No Se Arriesgue” to combat human smuggling and ultimately save lives.
"They’re humans, not cargo! Even with the spread of the COVID-19 virus, human smugglers continue to try these brazen attempts with zero regard for the lives they endanger nor to the health of the citizens of our great nation," said officials.
The U.S. Border Patrol agents of the Rio Grande Valley Sector will continue to safeguard the nation and community against these criminal elements.
Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection. Follow them on Twitter @CBPRGV, @USBPChiefRGV, and @USBPDepChiefRGV.
