Katy resident arrested for human smuggling at border checkpoint

A Katy resident was arrested for suspected smuggling at a border checkpoint. Agents found 250 grams of methamphetamine and a sawed-off shotgun, they said. A Katy resident was arrested for suspected smuggling at a border checkpoint. Agents found 250 grams of methamphetamine and a sawed-off shotgun, they said. Photo: US Border Patrol Photo: US Border Patrol Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Katy resident arrested for human smuggling at border checkpoint 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

A 43-year-old Katy man was arrested at an Eagle Pass, Texas border checkpoint for suspected smuggling, which U.S. Border Patrol agents said led them to the discovery of a nearby stash house.

The Katy man, the driver of 2005 Chevrolet Colorado, along with three people living in the country illegally were arrested on Thursday, Oct.17 at the Eagle Pass South Station's Highway 57 checkpoint during a "routine immigration inspection," according to a U. S. Customs and Border Protection news release.

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The arrests led agents to a nearby stash house in Eagle Pass, where they found three suspected smugglers. A total of 12 individuals were arrested at the house, but it is unclear whether that included the three suspected smugglers, the release said. The individuals who smuggled were originally from the countries of Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Ecuador, the release said. Agents also found 250 grams of methamphetamine and a sawed-off shotgun, they said.

The investigation has been turned over to Homeland Security Investigations.

All smugglers face a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison.

Michelle Iracheta is a digital reporter in Houston. Read her on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | michelle.iracheta@chron.com