As the human smuggling crisis continues to escalate in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) officials are taking decisive action. The ongoing issue has seen smugglers, often linked to cartels, aiding illegal immigrants in crossing the border.
High-Speed Chase and Arrests
This past Saturday, a human smuggler led authorities on a high-speed chase on Expressway 82 in Hidalgo County. The chase ended when troopers successfully completed a pit maneuver, bringing a black Volkswagen Jetta to a halt.
Wristbands and Cartel Involvement
The driver, an undocumented man from Mexico, and five migrants were detained. All detainees were found wearing colored bracelets, which DPS officials claim cartels use to track undocumented immigrants. The use of such wristbands further emphasizes the organized nature of these smuggling operations.
Increasing Consequences
Authorities are reminding the community of the severe consequences of getting involved in human smuggling. Penalties have increased significantly, with a ten-year jail sentence now being the minimum punishment. Minors involved in these crimes will also be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, despite efforts by smugglers to recruit them due to their typically lighter sentencing.
Response from the State Governor
State Governor Greg Abbott has stated that the Texas National Guard is conducting exercises in response to a possible mass migration. According to authorities, illegal crossings have decreased by 88%, a figure they attribute to Governor Abbott’s Operation Lone Star.
