Border patrol officers rescue 44 people from 'stash house'

>>Click to see facts about undocumented immigrants in the U.S. Multiple Border Patrol agencies collaborated to rescued 44 undocumented immigrants on Jan. 3, 2017. >>Click to see facts about undocumented immigrants in the U.S. Multiple Border Patrol agencies collaborated to rescued 44 undocumented immigrants on Jan. 3, 2017. Image 1 of / 48 Caption Close Border patrol officers rescue 44 people from 'stash house' 1 / 48 Back to Gallery

Multiple Border Patrol sectors combined to rescue 44 undocumented immigrants from a Donna, Texas stash house on Jan. 3.

Laredo Sector and Rio Grande Valley Sector officers collaborated with Hidalgo County Constable's Office Pct. 1 to obtain a search warrant after receiving a tip.

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The smuggler was arrested for transporting the immigrants, who were from Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, and has been referred for prosecution. The undocumented immigrants have been taken to the Weslaco Border Patrol station to be processed.

"The outstanding work done by all involved is a great example of how our enforcement strategy, utilizing collaboration across the South Texas Corridor, is working," Rio Grande Valley Sector chief patrol agent Raul Ortiz said in a prepared statement. "In this case, 44 illegal immigrants were spared from being held in a crammed stash house and a smuggler was apprehended."

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The Laredo Sector Border Patrol bills itself as an agency that attempts to "warn against the dangers of people crossing illegally" into the U.S.

"The callous disregard for human life in which these persons were subjected to and the inhumane conditions that they were placed in demonstrates how heartless these smugglers can be," Laredo Sector Chief Patrol Agent Mario Martinez said.