Border patrol arrests 49 illegal aliens, 22 smugglers at border checkpoints in just 3 days

EDINBURG, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents stopped several smuggling attempts throughout the Rio Grande Valley this weekend.

On June 24, agents working the Sarita Checkpoint referred a United States citizen driving a tractor-trailer to secondary inspection as a result of a K-9 alert. Upon further inspection, agents discovered an illegal alien underneath the sleeper compartment and 31 bundles of marijuana weighing over 230 pounds along with five pounds of cocaine hidden in the cab.

Later in the evening, Falfurrias agents working checkpoint operations referred a United States Citizen driving a tractor-trailer hauling several vehicles to secondary inspection. Agents discovered 18 illegal aliens within three of the vehicles in transit.

In all, agents detected 11 narcotic and 17 alien smuggling attempts, resulting in the seizure of 1,226 pounds of marijuana, the arrest of 22 smugglers and the discovery of 49 smuggled aliens in just three days.

The Rio Grande Valley Sector currently has multiple campaigns focused on rescues and danger awareness, such as “Operation Big Rig” and “No Se Arriesgue” to combat smuggling and ultimately save lives.

The border arrests come on the heels of ICE operations in New York, Los Angeles, New Jersey and Ohio that resulted in the arrest of more than 550 illegal aliens this month.