Home News 14 illegal immigrants caught crossing border with aerial surveillance drone

14 illegal immigrants caught crossing border with aerial surveillance drone


Cesar Rodriguez

Laredo Morning Times, Texas

A man caught guiding 14 immigrants claimed he was on his way to a nightclub to meet women, according to an arrest affidavit filed on Thursday.

“Laredo North agents, with the assistance of a small unmanned aircraft system and a mobile vehicle surveillance system, apprehended 14 individuals just north of Laredo. By using technology, agents were able to quickly and more efficiently intercept these individuals before they reached a busy commercial area,” Border Patrol said in a statement.

The case unfolded at about 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 30, when an agent using an unmanned aerial surveillance system observed multiple people attempting to conceal themselves in a washout next to the railroad tracks near Port Laredo.

One person was allegedly directing the others and utilizing a cellphone while a white sedan was seen departing the area. Agents responded to the location and discovered 14 people who were determined to be immigrants who had crossed the border illegally.

Unmanned aerial surveillance notified agents of a person fleeing the scene northbound along the railroad tracks. Agents caught up to the fleeing person and identified him as David Perez. He was wearing a camouflage jacket. Perez, a U.S. citizen, stated he was previously employed as a diesel mechanic at a truck stop on mile marker 13 on Interstate 35.

“Perez stated he was in the area because he was going to a nightclub on mile marker 13 to meet women. Perez stated that he was in the area for legitimate reasons,” states the affidavit.

Perez was arrested and charged with transport, attempt to transport and conspire to transport immigrants who were in the country illegally.


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