CBP - U.S. Customs and Border Protection

07/30/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/30/2021 10:32

Laredo Sector Agents Stop a Human Smuggling Attempt at the Rio Grande Riverbanks

LAREDO, Texas- Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents stopped a human smuggling attempt at the riverbanks before it began.

The incident occurred during the early afternoon of July 29, when Laredo North Station agents responded to a report of a group of people swimming across the Rio Grande River in northwest Laredo. Agents were able to observe as a human smuggler lead a group of people to a river landing as they made landfall in the United States. Responding agents moved to intercept, but the human smuggler led the group north along the riverbanks attempting to evade apprehension. As the agents followed the group, other Border Patrol agents moved in from the north and were able to apprehend the group but not before the human smuggler abandoned the group and returned to Mexico.

These apprehensions show how agents coordinate with each other to protect our Nation's borders. Their duty is to mitigate any threat coming across our borders and they are committed to their duties of protecting the American people, safeguarding our borders, and enhancing the Nation's economic prosperity.

Help take a stand against these criminal organizations and potentially dangerous acts by reporting suspicious activity in our neighborhoods. To report suspicious activity such as human and/or drug smuggling, download the 'USBP Laredo Sector' App or contact the Laredo Sector Border Patrol toll free at 1-800-343-1994.

-CBP-