PHARR, Texas (Border Report) — Homeland Security officers recently seized over $85,000 in unreported cash hidden in a vehicle that was trying to drive to Mexico from South Texas.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized the cash April 14 during an outbound inspection at the Pharr International Bridge.

The vehicle was driven by a 19-year-old U.S. citizen whose car was scanned using non-intrusive inspection technology.

The technology is being used increasingly throughout ports of entry connecting South Texas with Mexico. And will be incorporated in a new expansion of a heavily trafficked Border Patrol checkpoint north of Laredo.

It is not a crime to carry more than $10,000 in cash, however, it is a federal offense not to declare the currency to a CBP officer at a port of entry.

“Inspection skill and experience contributed to this significant outbound currency seizure,” Port Director Carlos Rodriguez said in a statement. “These types of seizures, often involving proceeds from illicit activity, have significant impact and reflect CBP’s ongoing commitment to our priority border security mission.”

McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) — Border Patrol agents arrested a migrant who officials say is the subject of interest in an ongoing Texas Rangers murder investigation.

On April 13, agents arrested 37-year-old Justino Alonso-Hernandez in Zapata, Texas. He was picked up with four others near Highway 496.

The agency says citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the Laredo Sector Border Patrol and can remain anonymous by calling: (800) 343-1994.

LAREDO, Texas (Border Report) — A busy Border Patrol checkpoint in South Texas is undergoing a renovation and expansion that could soon make it the largest in the nation.

Congress has approved $15 million to begin expanding the checkpoint on Interstate 35 about 30 miles north of Laredo, in a heavily trafficked corridor that leads from the border to San Antonio, according to U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, ranking member of the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee.

The funding was part of Homeland Security’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget. Of it, $10 million will go to creating what Cuellar calls “an immediate relief valve that is for noncommercial vehicles,” and $5 million toward designing and land acquisition of 75 acres for the expansion, he said.

When completed, the checkpoint will add nine commercial truck inspection lanes and two additional secondary inspection lanes, as well as an impound lot, warehouse, canine facilities, and a special passenger vehicle loop to facilitate traffic flow.

“The latest technology will be used in this so we can handle the largest amount of trucks of any other checkpoint in the whole country,” Cuellar recently told Border Report. “This will be the largest checkpoint in the country.”

The checkpoint is commonly called “Checkpoint Charley” and is located on the northbound lanes of the busy interstate.

Cuellar says renovations are necessary because too often the checkpoint gets so backed up that it impedes highway traffic, prompting Border Patrol agents to wave dozens of vehicles and trucks through in what the agency calls “flushes” to reduce collisions.

The agency says transnational criminal organizations are aware of the “flushing” methods and take advantage of peak traffic times to try to illegally cross migrants north of the checkpoint area.

In June 2022, an 18-wheeler truck that came from Laredo with dozens of migrants illegally smuggled into its cargo hold was waved through Checkpoint Charley during a flush. The same truck was abandoned in San Antonio before 53 migrants died trapped in the back in what is the deadliest smuggling incident in U.S. history so far.

Cuellar says the larger facility will have the latest technology, including non-intrusive inspection technology to scan trucks and vehicles to ensure there isn’t anything in the cargo holds.

He says additional Border Patrol agents also will be hired to staff the larger station.

The current checkpoint was built in 2006 and designed for inspections of 4,000 vehicles daily. But according to the Department of Homeland Security, agents routinely inspect over 17,000 vehicles daily, and upwards of 20,000 vehicles in many instances.

Currently, the checkpoint on U.S. Highway 281 near the rural South Texas town of Falfurrias is the largest in the nation with separate truck inspection bays and a large secondary inspection area.

But once completed, Checkpoint Charley should eclipse it, Cuellar says.

Additional funds of about $150 million will be needed, however, in order to complete the renovations.

LAREDO, Tx (KGNS) - Authorities need your help locating a person allegedly connected to an aggravated robbery case.

The incident was reported on April 9, 2024, at a local smoke shop located at the 2000 block of Gudalupe Street.

The possible person of interest was caught on camera wearing a grey colored track jacket, a black beanie, a black facemask and blue gloves.

If you have any information regarding the identity or location of this person, you are asked to call (956) 727-TIPS.

Police ask that you reference case number #24-0387 when submitting your tips.

All calls will remain anonymous.

EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – A man who fled authorities in two states at speeds reaching over 100 miles per hour in a car loaded with migrants has pleaded guilty to federal charges in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Judas Alexis Figueroa on Wednesday admitted he transported for financial gain five unauthorized non-citizens from Douglas, Ariz., to a road leading to Interstate 10 west of Animas, N.M., according to documents filed in U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico.

Border agents took Figueroa into custody on Feb. 23 after deploying a tire-deflation device on a black BMW along New Mexico State Road 80. Figueroa initially told investigators he ignored authorities because they had no reason to stop him.

Later, Figueroa said someone hired him to drive south of Bisbee, Ariz., to pick up migrants and drive them to Phoenix for money, court records show. Border agents say it’s not unusual for smugglers to skirt highway checkpoints in Southern Arizona by driving around side roads in Southwest New Mexico.

Details of the plea agreement were not immediately disclosed. A federal magistrate was to review the agreement this week in a federal courtroom in Las Cruces.

LAREDO, Tx. (KGNS) - A water main break is causing road closures in north Laredo.

According to the Laredo Police Department, there is a water main break near Mann Road and Encino.

During this time, residents who live in the 200 block of Mann Road might experience low water pressure and interruption of water service due to the main break.

This work is expected to up to eight hours.

Police officers are directing traffic.

Drivers are being urged to exercise extreme caution and expect potential delays.

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - As we get closer to the summer months, people tend to put more focus on fitness to improve their physical health.

However, according to the National Safety Council, many people can end up injuring themselves. In fact, more than 3.6 million people ended up at an emergency room in 2022 due to an injury involving exercise or sports.

Dr. Phillip Langer from the Laredo Sports Medical Center is reminding community members to stretch your body before and after workout and of course, drink plenty of water throughout the process. “Hydration, big thing is hydration and don’t get behind it if you feel like exhausted get out of the heat and get cooled off so you don’t get a heat stroke or heat exhaustion,” said Dr. Langer. “Make sure you do not cramp and eat bananas, potassium, stretching, things of that nature and just moderation.”

According to the National Safety Council, cycling, basketball, football, skateboarding and soccer are some of the sports that tend to result in some type of injury.