LA JOYA, Texas — Agents assigned to the McAllen Border Patrol Station apprehend 19 smuggled aliens.

This morning, McAllen agents working in La Joya, Texas observed 19 subjects run into an awaiting pickup truck, located less than half a mile away from the Rio Grande. Mobile units responded and encountered the vehicle traveling north towards Expressway 83. Upon observing the Border Patrol units, the driver of the load vehicle immediately turned into a residential street, where he and the rest of the passengers abandoned the vehicle. The occupants of the vehicle went into a nearby wooded area and attempted to evade apprehension. Agents searched the area for several hours with the assistance of air assets and were able to apprehend the smuggled aliens. The driver of the vehicle was not located.

The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and to help save lives by reporting suspicious activity at 800-863-9382 .

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