Falfurrias, Texas - U. S. Border Patrol agents arrested a 30 year-old, United States citizen after a failed smuggling attempt at the Falfurrias checkpoint.

Early this morning, a marked Fire/Emergency Medical Service (EMS) vehicle arrived at the Falfurrias Checkpoint for inspection. During the primary inspection, a Border Patrol K-9 alerted to the vehicle. After agents referred the vehicle to the secondary inspection area, the driver fled the checkpoint at a high rate of speed. Agents pursued the vehicle, which eventually came to an abrupt stop, and observed several subjects bail out. The driver, a United States citizen, and three of the fleeing passengers were quickly apprehended.

The passengers were determined to be Brazilian nationals who were illegally present in the United States.

This case is currently under investigation and will be referred for prosecution.

The Rio Grande Valley Sector currently has multiple campaigns focused on rescues and danger awareness, such as “Operation Big Rig” and “No Se Arriesgue” to combat smuggling and ultimately save lives. Call 911 to report suspicious activity; “They’re humans, not cargo!”