Laredo, TX – U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations says aircrews helped Border Patrol agents apprehend 16 people following a coordinated operation near Laredo.
According to CBP, an MQ-9 crew detected a large group attempting to cross Mines Road in the Laredo West Area of Responsibility on Aug. 16.
An AS350 helicopter crew from the Laredo Air Branch was deployed to assist Border Patrol agents on the ground. After several hours of coordinated aerial and ground searches, agents apprehended 16 people who CBP said were unlawfully present in the United States.
CBP said the operation demonstrated how aerial surveillance can help agents detect and track cross-border activity across large areas.
