A Mexican national on a U.S. visitor visa attempted to haul 53 illegal aliens across the Texas border hidden behind a load of produce, federal prosecutors allege. Luis Valero-Carrizales, 39, is expected to appear in court today on charges tied to one of the largest human smuggling busts in recent South Texas history.
The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury Feb. 28, charges Valero-Carrizales with conspiracy to transport illegal aliens. Authorities say he was driving an 18-wheeler loaded with produce when he approached the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint near Falfurrias on Dec. 16, 2017. At the primary inspection lane, a service canine alerted agents to the trailer—triggering a search that exposed the hidden migrants.
Inside the refrigerated trailer, agents found all 53 illegal aliens concealed behind cargo. The temperature inside the sealed compartment was recorded at 54 degrees—well below body heat, raising concerns of hypothermia and suffocation. Valero-Carrizales was taken into custody immediately after the discovery, following the filing of a criminal complaint.
Valero-Carrizales is scheduled for an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jason Libby at 9:30 a.m. today in Corpus Christi. Prosecutors plan to request continued detention, arguing the defendant poses a flight risk and danger to the community. He remains held without bond.
If convicted, Valero-Carrizales faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey S. Miller, with support from Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Border Patrol.
An indictment is not evidence of guilt. Luis Valero-Carrizales is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. The investigation remains ongoing as federal authorities work to identify potential co-conspirators in the smuggling ring.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Human Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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