Human TraffickingMigrationNews

US Border Patrol and law enforcement partners arrest over 30 individuals inside a stash house

Border Patrol agents along with Department of Public Safety troopers, Webb County Attorney’s Office investigators, and Webb County Constable Precinct 2 deputies, discovered a stash house and apprehended over 30 undocumented individuals in central Laredo.

The incident occurred on Nov. 17, when law enforcement officers discovered a stash house on Musser Street.  Inside the residence were 31 undocumented individuals from the countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Mexico including five children, three of which were unaccompanied.  During the search of the residence, agents noticed broken ceiling tiles.  A closer look revealed a subject hiding in the ceiling.

Since the apprehended individuals were not wearing personal protective equipment when found, they were provided the equipment and were medically screened before being processed accordingly.

Stash house apprehensions remain only a fraction of the total apprehensions made in Laredo Sector.  The overwhelming majority of apprehensions made by Laredo Sector agents are while performing linewatch operations near the border.

Stash houses are a threat to national security and a threat to the people in our communities not only due to the criminal activity they are linked to but also because of the lack of sanitary conditions which can foster a breeding ground for illnesses or other communicable diseases.