U.S. Customs and Border Protection revealed on Thursday that Border Patrol agents and Texas Highway Patrol in the Big Bend Sector found 74 illegal immigrants packed into two trailers being towed by a pickup truck during a highway inspection.
When the first vehicle pulled a trailer into an Interstate Highway 10 immigration checkpoint, a K-9 inspection yielded a positive alert. The vehicle was directed to a secondary inspection lane, where the illegal immigrants were discovered.
"A second vehicle pulling another large travel trailer was encountered shortly after agents began inspecting the vehicle and trailer in the secondary inspection lane. Agents provided additional information on a second vehicle involved in the smuggling scheme to the Texas Department of Public Safety who performed a vehicle stop and identified multiple subjects concealing themselves in a travel trailer," CBP said in the press release.
"The coordination and collaboration between the agents and Texas Department of Public Safety resulted in multiple migrants being rescued from a very dangerous situation," Big Bend Sector Chief Patrol Agent Sean L. McGoffin said in a statement. "Transnational criminal organizations recruit United States Citizens to facilitate their smuggling schemes, they continue to place lives in danger with little regard for their safety and well-being."
"Two of the United States Citizens were turned over to Texas Department of Public Safety for their involvement in the smuggling scheme. One United States Citizen, the driver of the second vehicle, was released due to his juvenile age," CBP explained.
CBP provided pictures of the smuggling operation:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Just as with other sectors along the U.S.-Mexico border, the Big Bend Sector, one of the most remote southern areas, has seen a dramatic increase in people illegally entering the United States.
The Sierra Blanca K9 Unit has experienced multiple successful apprehensions of undocumented non-citizens and seizures of illegal narcotics. Sierra Blanca station is responsible for over 70 miles of international border and operates an immigration checkpoint on I-10. pic.twitter.com/LYRm1Dej3x
— Chief Patrol Agent Sean L. McGoffin (@USBPChiefBBT) July 9, 2021
Yesterday, Big Bend Sector agents worked alongside @CBPAMO and @TxDPS air support to apprehend nearly 140 undocumented non-citizens. Transnational criminal organizations continue to exploit large numbers of migrants in the Big Bend region. #teamwork #partnerships pic.twitter.com/Yhz81O0EqV
— Chief Patrol Agent Sean L. McGoffin (@USBPChiefBBT) July 15, 2021