COVID-19 Spread Doesn’t Slow Down Human Smugglers

COVID-19 Spread Doesn’t Slow Down Human Smugglers

Human smugglers continue to plague law enforcement and society at large, despite the COVID-19 pandemic and without regards to several Customs and Border Protection policies and travel restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of the disease. Smugglers continue to place migrants in harm’s way.

Commercial tractor-trailers remain the transportation of choice to smuggle large number of people into the United States, especially at CBP’s Rio Grande Valley (RVG) and Laredo (LRT) sectors in Texas. Both have been hot spots to loaded tractor-trailers. The two sectors have seen 28 tractor-trailer cases since March 21 when COVID policies were put in place.

“The risk posed by these tractor-trailer loads increases dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent weeks, our agents have discovered more than 492 people concealed in these dangerous and life threatening conditions,” said Rodney Scott, chief of the United States Border Patrol, referring to the number of migrants encountered by RGV and LRT agents in tractor-trailer cases since March 21.

Smugglers may demand as much as $6,000 and up to $12,000 per person to attempt to be smuggled into the United States, via tractor-trailers. The journey is not only expensive from a financial standpoint, but it has the potential to cost them their lives. In a particularly notorious example of a failed tractor-trailer smuggling attempt in July 2017, authorities discovered more than 100 migrants crowded into a trailer in a Walmart parking lot in San Antonio, Texas. Ten people died and another 39 were hospitalized for dehydration. The driver was sentenced to life in prison.

Recently, on May 11, Border Patrol agents encountered 49 aliens concealed in a tractor-trailer at the Interstate 35 checkpoint north of Laredo, Texas. At the time of the encounter, the trailer was locked, and the passengers had no safety restraints and no means of escape. “This smuggling tactic is putting lives at risk—the lives of the migrants, our agents, and the American public—all for the sake of profit,” Scott said.

Migrants attempting the dangerous journey to illegally enter the United States travel without access to proper medical care and personal protective equipment to protect themselves and others, all while traveling through multiple countries before reaching the United States. The smugglers often force the migrants into cramped compartments and unsanitary stash houses along the journey.

The Border Patrol is leveraging its intelligence gathering and investigative capabilities, which includes working with partner agencies around the country and world. Together these efforts keep our nation safe by identifying, prosecuting, and dismantling the criminal organizations and networks who endanger the lives of so many through human smuggling.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher/Editor in chief of Security Today magazine.

Featured

New Products

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.