A stash house in El Paso, meth stuffed into candy wrappers in Laredo, and two convicted sex offenders caught driving repeat violators deeper into Texas.

1. Dash the Stash

On June 9, U.S. Border Patrol agents and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations apparently disrupted an alleged human smuggling operation hidden in plain sight: an apartment stash house in El Paso. The public became aware of the bust from a June 18 social media post.

“STASH HOUSE UNCOVERED!” posted U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael W. Banks on X. “At the center of it all—a Mexican national unlawfully in the U.S. He first denied involvement, but later admitted to being the caretaker of the stash house.”

The man faces three federal charges:

  • Conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens (8 U.S.C. §1324)
  • Making false statements to federal agents (18 U.S.C. §1001)
  • Felony illegal re-entry (8 U.S.C. §1326)

According to Banks, eight illegal aliens were apprehended at the apartment. All are expected to be processed and charged under U.S. immigration law.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE DALLAS EXPRESS APP

“No hiding. No escaping. The law will find you,” Banks concluded in his post, which also included an unblurred image of one of the suspects next to the listed charges.

2. CPB Catches Creeps in Carrizo Springs

Carrizo Springs agents arrested two previously convicted sex offenders who were attempting to smuggle illegal immigrants further into the country, officials announced Tuesday.

“Thanks to the keen eye of agents working the Carrizo area of responsibility, this group will face consequences,” wrote the Del Rio Sector’s Chief Patrol Agent on X on June 17.

A corresponding post on Facebook added that both the driver and the passenger—each with prior felony convictions—now face new felony charges related to alien smuggling. The two migrants in the vehicle, both repeat immigration offenders, will also face “steep consequences,” according to the U.S. Border Patrol Del Rio Sector’s Facebook post.

Under Texas law, knowingly smuggling individuals for profit or in a manner that places them in danger can result in up to a 10-year prison sentence. Depending on the case’s progression, federal charges may follow.

3. Candy Disguised as Drugs Seized at Bridge

In a case that looked more like Halloween gone wrong, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Camino Real International Bridge claim to have seized over 21 pounds of methamphetamine hidden inside candy wrappers.

“Sweet on the outside, illegal on the inside,” posted Donald R. Kusser, Director of Field Operations for Laredo CBP, on June 16.

According to an accompanying Instagram post, the drugs were concealed within 17 packages disguised as candy. The subject was processed for expedited removal, had their visa canceled, and was returned to Mexico.

Based on the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime data, 21.25 pounds of methamphetamine could have a street value of more than $42,000, depending on purity and regional pricing. Meth trafficking continues to drive a substantial portion of cartel operations along the Texas-Mexico border.

Texas Takedown Weekly is a recurring series from The Dallas Express chronicling the most significant immigration-related arrests and interdictions across the state. You can read last week’s edition here: Texas Takedown Weekly: Border’s Biggest Busts (June 13).