see also: in October 2006 News Releases:   CBP releases outstanding 2006 results   CBP Launches SENTRI Program Improvements   Aduanas Introduce Mejoras al Programa SENTRI   CBP Deploys Newest Unmanned Aircraft   CBP Border Patrol Nabs Sex Offender   More Than $1 Million in Cocaine Seized by CBP Border Patrol Agents in New Mexico   CBP Border Patrol Agents Foil Drug Smugglers ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Falfurrias, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol agents observed a U-HAUL truck enter the Falfurrias Border Patrol checkpoint on Friday. While conducting an immigration inspection on the driver, a CBP Border Patrol canine team performed a free-air sniff on the exterior of the vehicle and positively alerted to the cargo area.

The vehicle was referred to the secondary inspection area where a search of the cargo area revealed seventeen people trapped inside. They were immediately given fluids and removed from the sweltering conditions. All subjects declined medical attention. The seventeen people were determined to be Mexican nationals illegally in the United States, including a 13-year-old unaccompanied juvenile. The driver, a 29-year-old United States citizen from Brownsville, Texas, was arrested and charged with alien smuggling.

In the ongoing effort to disrupt human trafficking and smuggling, the Rio Grande Valley Sector has created a toll-free telephone number for the community to report suspicious activity 1-800-863-9382.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.