EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol Agents assigned to the El Paso Sector continue to encounter people from various countries attempting to enter the United States illegally.

On Friday, El Paso Border Patrol Agents working just west of downtown El Paso observed a suspicious vehicle picking up three suspected illegal aliens near Paisano Drive and Executive Boulevard. Agents attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver sped off which resulted in a vehicle pursuit along Loop 375 near UTEP. The pursuit ended when the vehicle entered an apartment complex in the Sunset Heights area and the occupants fled on foot in an attempt to evade agents.

One of the agents observed that the subjects left their vehicle unattended on a steep incline and immediately jumped into the vehicle to prevent it from rolling downhill into traffic or housing in the area. Agents also notified UTEP Police in the event the suspects attempted to enter the campus grounds.

Agents initiated an extensive search of the area and relied on their tracking skills to locate one subject that was attempting to conceal himself within the residences. Agents transported the subject to the El Paso Border Patrol Station. During routine records checks, agents learned that the subject was a Cuban national illegally present in the U.S. and was processed for removal while the vehicle used in the smuggling attempt was also seized.

In a separate event, surveillance camera operators working in the Fabens, Texas, area alerted Border Patrol Agents to a group of individuals attempting to make an illegal entry into the U.S. The responding agents began to scour the remote desert area searching for evidence of the group. A few minutes later, agents discovered four individuals attempting to conceal themselves in heavy brush. Agents identified themselves and questioned the individuals as to their citizenship. Two individuals declared to be Mexican nationals. The other two presented Turkish passports. The subjects were transported to the Clint Border Patrol station for processing.

Human smugglers continue to show disregard for the safety and well-being of the people they are smuggling. On many occasions, the smuggling attempts involve life-threatening methods. Border Patrol Agents work to disrupt these smuggling efforts in their commitment to maintain our community’s safety while preserving human life.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-800-635-2509 toll free.

It is important to note that an arrest should not be considered evidence of guilt, and subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.