Border patrol agents reported discovering smugglers attempting to transport over a dozen firearms into Mexico.
Chief Patrol Agent Jason D. Owens of the Del Rio Sector in South Texas tweeted about the apprehension, saying the prevention of money and gun smuggling is part of their job as border patrol agents.
“A Del Rio Sector specialized intelligence team worked [with] state [and] federal agencies interdicting a SUV attempting to illegally transport over 15 firearms to Mexico.”
The chief agent went on to say, “Not only do we prevent illicit narcotics [and] persons from entering the US, we also stop money [and] firearms from cartels.”
A Del Rio Sector specialized intelligence team worked w/ state & federal agencies interdicting a SUV attempting to illegally transport over 15 firearms to Mexico.
Not only do we prevent illicit narcotics & persons from entering the US, we also stop money & firearms from cartels. pic.twitter.com/IOozAKVfzi
— Chief Patrol Agent Jason D. Owens (@USBPChiefDRT) July 16, 2022
According to Owens, the U.S. Border Patrol’s Del Rio Sector is one of the busiest Sectors, covering 47 counties and 242 border miles in Texas.
On June 15 Owens reported statistics about his team’s activity saying, “In the past 7 days, the Del Rio Sector along with our law enforcement partners have disrupted 47 vehicle smuggling attempts. In total, 266 subjects were arrested [and] 4 firearms were seized. Border Security is National Security!”
In the past 7 days, the Del Rio Sector along with our law enforcement partners have disrupted 47 vehicle smuggling attempts. In total, 266 subjects were arrested & 4 firearms were seized.
Border Security is National Security! pic.twitter.com/AC2KbBMghT
— Chief Patrol Agent Jason D. Owens (@USBPChiefDRT) July 15, 2022
Another report from the border outlined the busy sector’s arrests, saying that from October 1 to May 31, Del Rio border patrol arrested more than 280,000 people, from 109 different countries.
“That sheer volume alone brings many logistical [and] security challenges. Our agents are fully engaged 24 hours a day, giving it there (sic) all to keep everyone safe,” Owens said.
From October 1 to May 31, the Del Rio Sector has arrested more than 280,000 people, from 109 different countries!
That sheer volume alone brings many logistical & security challenges. Our agents are fully engaged 24 hours a day, giving it there all to keep everyone safe. pic.twitter.com/pPe9iR1R2k
— Chief Patrol Agent Jason D. Owens (@USBPChiefDRT) June 24, 2022
Republicans have been pushing the Biden administration for further border security, including a recent push by the GOP to find a way to stem human smuggling by Mexican-based cartels.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement reported that criminal smuggling organizations make billions of dollars annually smuggling humans as cargo.
“They have no concern for humanity, none; it’s a money business,” said Jack Staton, acting special agent in charge for ICE Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, Texas, “they look at people as merchandise, as a way to make money.”
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R) spoke out about some of the gruesome practices used by the cartels, calling out the Biden administration for not doing more to secure the border.
“We heard multiple reports of something, I’ll be candid, I had never heard of before until today — something called a rape tree, which are trees where the traffickers would violently rape young women and then hang their undergarments in the tree as a trophy,” Cruz said on Friday during a news conference with a group of Republican senators who visited the U.S.-Mexico border.
A recent report from Amnesty International indicates that roughly 60% of the women and girls who make the trip north to the United States through the U.S. – Mexico border are raped.
