Border Patrol Agents Arrest Eight After Vehicle Pursuit
(Press Release) U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Del Rio Sector were involved in a vehicle pursuit that resulted in the arrest of two Austin area residents, suspected of human smuggling, Oct. 15.
“Smugglers continue in their attempts to evade law enforcement officials,” said Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agent Raul L. Ortiz. “They have no regard for the safety of those being smuggled, law enforcement, or the traveling public.”
Agents assigned to the Eagle Pass Station attempted to perform a vehicle stop on a 2002 Dodge Ram on Farm to Market Road 1908 near Brackettville. The driver of the pickup truck failed to yield to agents and fled, turning north on to Farm to Market Road 131. The driver then pulled over to the side of the road, where six individuals jumped out and absconded into the brush. The driver then continued on FM 131 until agents were able to successfully disable the vehicle, using a controlled tire deflation device. Agents arrested the driver, a 25-year-old male from Del Valle, and passenger, a 27-year-old female from Austin, both U.S. citizens. Agents then apprehended six illegal aliens, where they had fled the vehicle. The six aliens are from Honduras and El Salvador, including one juvenile, age 14.
Throughout the holiday weekend, there were a total of eight failed smuggling attempts, resulting in the arrests of 18 smugglers and 41 illegal aliens.
All illegal aliens were processed in accordance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection guidelines. Individuals arrested while transporting illegal aliens face charges under 8 USC 1324, alien smuggling, and if convicted could receive up to 10 years in prison.
