US CBP Agents Intercept Large Travel Trailer Smuggling Schemes
On July 12, 2021, agents conducting traffic check operations at the Interstate Highway 10 immigration checkpoint encountered a vehicle pulling a large travel trailer in the primary inspection lane. A non-intrusive K-9 inspection was performed on the vehicle, yielding a positive alert. The vehicle was then directed to the secondary inspection lane by agents. 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. In total, 74 undocumented non-citizens and three United States Citizens were apprehended.
“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 stated. “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.
All undocumented non-citizens from countries including Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Peru were processed accordingly.
