Texas border officials arrest migrants and suspected human smuggler after high-speed chase

Texas border officials arrested six undocumented migrants and a suspected human smuggler after a high-speed chase that ended in a crash, authorities said on Wednesday. 

The smuggling attempt led agents from the U.S. Border Patrol and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) on a high-speed chase at around 1 p.m. on Wednesday in McAllen Texas, which is close to the U.S.-Mexico border, reported Fox News. 

The chase ended when the driver crashed the Ford pickup truck into a cement building near a shopping mall, Texas DPS Lt. Chris Olivarez said in a Tweet. 

After the crash, the driver, passenger, and six undocumented migrants fled the scene on foot, Olivarez added. 

Agents were able to catch up to the driver and passenger, both of whom turned out to be 17 years old. They were arrested for human smuggling. The passenger was found to be in possession of a handgun, Olivarez said. 

Authorities also intercepted three of the six undocumented migrants that were being transported in the truck. They were arrested and handed over to the U.S. Border Patrol for processing. The remaining three migrants have not been found. 

Olivarez said that the arrest was part of Operation Lone Star, an initiative launched by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to increase security near the Texas-Mexico border.

3 illegal immigrants were apprehended & referred to US Border Patrol. The passenger was in possession of a handgun. 2/2 #OperationLoneStar pic.twitter.com/64YjVSjrfd

— Chris Olivarez (@LtChrisOlivarez) November 9, 2022