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Human Smuggling Attempt Stopped By Multiple Law Enforcement Agencies In Texas

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A human smuggling attempt was intercepted by U.S. Border Patrol stations along with multiple other law enforcement agencies in Freer, Texas, Customs and Border Protection said Tuesday.

Law enforcement officials pursued a minivan transporting two U.S. citizens and seven illegal immigrants early Tuesday morning, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Officials stopped the vehicle in Freer, Texas, seized the minivan, and arrested the driver and passengers.

“Investigation revealed that the driver and a front seat passenger, both U.S. citizens, were transporting seven individuals who were in the country illegally from Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras,” CBP said in the statement.

Multiple law enforcement agencies, including two stations from #USBP combined efforts and stopped a human smuggling scheme in Freer, Texas. More information at https://t.co/mwOSFPCwgo@USBPChiefLRT pic.twitter.com/f7bbI2RiKI

— CBP South Texas (@CBPSouthTexas) December 1, 2020

The Jim Hogg Sheriff’s Office (JHSCO) deputies initially pursued the minivan, according to CBP. Agents from the Freer CBP Station, deputies from the Duval County Sheriff’s Office, and officers from the Freer Police Department responded to assist law enforcement.

“This incident highlights how cooperation between multiple law enforcement agencies in our communities leads to the interdiction of criminal activity and successful prosecution of violators of the law,” CBP said in the statement.

The two U.S. citizens were taken into custody by the JHSCO officers while the illegal immigrants were detained by the Freer CBP Station, according to CBP.

CBP did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.