Authorities bust South Texas smuggling ring, prosecutors say
by: Sandra Sanchez
Posted: Aug 21, 2025 / 05:49 PM CDT
Updated: Aug 21, 2025 / 05:52 PM CDT
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HARLINGEN, Texas (Border Report) — Four people, including two who law enforcement say are in the United States illegally, have been arrested on charges of leading a human smuggling ring in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas.
Enrique Gonzalez, 57, of Weslaco, and Mexican national Erick Vallejo-Zapata, 21, are set for their initial appearances on Friday in federal court in McAllen before U.S. Magistrate Judge Juan Alanis, U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei said Thursday.
Rigoberto Esteban Perez-Cruz, 37, of Edinburg, and Mexican national Mirza Garcia-Zapata, 37, have already made their appearances, and remain in custody. They have detention hearings on Tuesday, Ganjei said.
https://www.borderreport.com/immigration/border-crime/authorities-bust-south-texas-smuggling-ring-prosecutors-say/
