US Border Patrol agents arrest suspects in human smuggling cases, seize drugs, firearms
U.S. Border Patrol agents from the El Paso Sector last week disrupted human smuggling schemes that led to the discovery of a stash house sheltering undocumented immigrants and gang members. The agents also seized firearms and drugs.
On May 4, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Ysleta Station Anti-Smuggling Unit found a stash house near the intersection of North Loop Drive and Zaragoza Road. Inside, agents discovered 18 people, including nine migrants who were in the U.S. illegally, authorities said.
The other nine were U.S. citizens, including two with active warrants and several confirmed gang members. Two handguns and a sawed-off shotgun also were found inside.
One migrant from Ecuador and one from Mexico were processed for illegal reentry, while a U.S. citizen was processed for conspiracy to harbor/transport for his involvement in the smuggling scheme, authorities said. The remaining migrants were expelled to Mexico under Title 42.
Title 42 authority, which has been in effect since March 2020, is named for a 1944 public health law that allows for the rapid expulsion of migrants and suspends their right to seek asylum under U.S. law and international treaty.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under the Trump administration invoked Title 42 shortly after the coronavirus outbreak to prohibit border control agencies from holding migrants in "congregant settings," such as holding stations, where COVID-19 could spread rapidly.
Border Patrol agents seize 35 pounds of marijuana at checkpoint
A few hours later, Border Patrol agents assigned to the Ysleta Station discovered more than 35 pounds of marijuana at the U.S. Border Patrol Checkpoint on Highway 62/180. Agents saw a red Chevrolet sedan with a single male occupant coming through the checkpoint. A search of the vehicle was performed after a canine inspection. The agents found multiple vacuum-sealed bags with marijuana. The driver, a U.S. citizen, will face prosecution by the state of Texas.
On May 5, agents assigned to the Santa Teresa Station Anti-Smuggling Unit in New Mexico, along with the El Paso Sector Integrated Targeting Team, discovered 14 migrants crammed inside two vehicles that were driving in tandem. The agents performed a vehicle stop on New Mexico Highway 9 and found five adult migrants and two children inside one of the vehicles. The second vehicle had seven adult migrants covered with a tarp inside the bed of a truck. The migrants were processed and expelled to Mexico under Title 42. The drivers will face charges of conspiracy to harbor/transport.
Female migrant from Ecuador found injured near border barrier
On May 6, Border Patrol agents assigned to the Santa Teresa Station responded to an emergency call after a migrant was found injured near the border barrier. Agents found a female from Ecuador who was complaining of severe leg pain. She was medically evaluated by first responders on-scene and later transported to a hospital to receive medical care.
Officials said that last week agents also disrupted 19 human smuggling schemes that were using vehicles, arrested eight people with criminal records, disrupted nine stash houses and rescued 10 injured migrants.
Officials said that the El Paso Sector has seen an average of about 1,000 daily migrant encounters. The El Paso Sector encompasses El Paso and Hudspeth counties in West Texas and all of New Mexico.
“These events within the last seven days highlight how complex our border environment has become and the determination by our Border Patrol Agents to adjust operationally as needed to address the present threat while increasing the life and safety of any human being,” El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez said.
“Despite these challenging times, our Border Patrol Agents remain steadfast in securing our border. I am truly proud of the invaluable work El Paso Sector Border Patrol Agents do each and every day for our West Texas and New Mexico region.”
Residents can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol while remaining anonymous by calling 1-800-635-2509.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Border Patrol arrests human smuggling suspects, seizes drugs, firearms
