Edinburg, Texas - The U.S. Border Patrol’s Rio Grande Valley Sector continues to coordinate border security efforts with state and local law enforcement agencies through Operation Stonegarden. Operation Stonegarden provides funding to state and local law enforcement agencies to enhance border security and keep communities safe.

In July, under Operation Stonegarden, state and local law enforcement agencies arrested a total of 43 illegal aliens during four significant smuggling attempts. Some illegal aliens were discovered in the trunks of vehicles and others were found in local stash houses. One of the individuals being smuggled was identified as having a prior conviction for Statutory Rape – 2nd Degree and had served one-year confinement for that crime. 

All the individuals were turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol for appropriate processing.

In 2018, Operation Stonegarden received $85 million dollars in funding allocations nationwide.  Operation Stonegarden supports enhanced cooperation and coordination among Customs and Border Protection (CBP), United States Border Patrol (USBP), and Federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies.

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!”

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.