LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Laredo police took action against illegal street racing on Thursday, June 13, arresting six people accused of racing on highways. The crackdown targeted hotspots including the 1100 block of Beltway Parkway, I-35 at mile marker 4, and two incidents at the 1400 block of Carriers Street. Impounded vehicles included a Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger, Chevy Camaro, and Ford Mustang.

Those arrested:

• David Garcia, 21

• Samuel Garcia Jr, 22

• Noel Lopez Jr, 23

• Hilario Gonzalez III, 27

• Jose Luis Galvan, 26

• Jesus Galvan, 19

The operation responds to a rise in street racing incidents in Laredo. Police aim to keep the community safe by enforcing laws against illegal racing.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A neighbor described the alarming moments when a house in central Laredo caught fire Wednesday, June 12, around 1 p.m. Firefighters rushed to the scene on the 3600 block of Flores Avenue, finding the home completely ablaze upon arrival.

On Thursday, June 13, the house shows significant damage, with little left standing. Neighbor Fernando Martinez recounted being woken by loud noises from the fire. “I was sleeping, honestly, and then I started hearing popping from the fire. At first, I thought that maybe people were fighting or something, and I was scared because I thought that it was a gunshot. I walked outside and there were cars pulled over and everything, and I saw that this house was on fire,” Martinez said.

The Laredo Fire Department confirmed no one was inside the house when the fire started, as reported by the caller.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - The Laredo Police Auto Theft Task Force is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 44-year-old Manuel Alejandro Arellano wanted for stealing a motor vehicle valued between $20,000 and $100,000.

Arellano is described as 5′ 4″ tall, weighing 160 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to call Laredo Crime Stoppers at 727-TIPS for a chance to receive a cash reward of up to $1,000.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Johnny Canales, a trailblazer in Tejano music and TV hosting, died at 77.

His wife Nora announced his death on the Facebook page of El Show de Johnny y Nora Canales just before 8 a.m. She said, “With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Johnny Canales. He was more than just a beloved husband, father, TV host, musician, and entertainer; he was a beacon of hope and joy for countless people.”

Canales was known for his lively personality and dedication to promoting Latino music and culture through his TV show. His family thanked everyone for their support and asked for prayers during this difficult time.

Funeral arrangements were not immediately available.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - The Encinal Police Department is sharing new images about a traffic stop that led to the discovery of undocumented migrants in a car trunk.

The incident happened on Thursday, June 6, when a Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper stopped a white Dodge Challenger on I-35.

The Encinal Police Department assisted the traffic stop, and upon investigating, they saw a man in a hidden compartment behind the rear seat of the vehicle.

Law enforcement found two people that are originally from Mexico, and the driver was identified as Mario Gonzalez.

The man was arrested, and the Encinal Police Department impounded the vehicle.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A $200 million grant approved by Congress in late March has funded the purchase and installation of over 50 X-ray scanning systems at ports of entry along the U.S. southern border. These devices can detect anomalies in commercial vehicles, buses, and tractor-trailers, enhancing the ability of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to find hidden illegal substances and people.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection provided KGNS with an exclusive look at these advanced machines and other never-before-seen devices. “Whenever we have technology in the field, we know that it’s just a matter of time before a new and more modernized technology will be rolled out,” said Alberto Flores, Port Director for CBP’s Office of Field Operations.

Several X-ray machines are already in place at different ports of entry in Laredo, including the Gateway to the Americas and Juarez-Lincoln Bridge. These machines operate 24/7 and can detect illegal substances such as marijuana, cocaine, and fentanyl in cars, trucks, and SUVs. Larger X-ray machines are used for 18-wheelers and bigger vehicles.

In an exclusive first look, CBP officers showcased their latest X-ray device at the World Trade Bridge. “What we have here is what we call the multi-energy portals. It consists of a dual-energy system,” explained Flores. “You have low energy used to scan the conveyance where the driver sits, and then high energy for the cargo.”

According to Flores, this new equipment can assess hundreds of truck trailers in less than an hour. “We are currently at what we call the NII control center, where our X-ray images are produced. In the near future, several officers will analyze images produced by the MVP,” he added.

Despite the advanced technology, drug smuggling attempts have not slowed down. “Every single type of conveyance, even the person themselves, we had identified them having contraband that they are not supposed to be bringing into the U.S.,” Flores noted. “The NII systems deployed greatly assist us in identifying those anomalies.”

In 2023, federal agents found substances including marijuana, cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, with methamphetamine being the most seized. So far in 2024, marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamine have been the most commonly seized substances.

The new X-ray machines at the World Trade Bridge are not yet operational, but once they are, drivers will have the option to bypass the X-ray machine. If they do, they will still be subject to other forms of inspection, including a stationary vehicle X-ray scan with the vehicle unoccupied.

With advances in technology, Flores is optimistic about future developments. “That is something that is definitely on the horizon for CBP, especially with these machines where these machines will be learning as cargo is being scanned every day. Eventually, the system through our artificial intelligence will assist the officer in identifying certain anomalies in certain cargoes.”

The new X-ray machines at the World Trade Bridge will be put to use later this year.

Below is the original story:

To step up security and fight drug smuggling, X-ray machines are now in place at the Laredo International Bridges. These machines can spot illegal substances, like powerful drugs such as fentanyl, hidden in vehicles crossing the border.

Getting these X-ray machines set up is a big move to make the border safer. Our cameras got a special look at how these machines work.

This effort is part of a bigger plan to make the southern border more secure against drug smuggling. In total, 56 scanning systems have been set up at entry points all along the border. It’s all possible because $200,000 in funds got approved recently.

In our upcoming newscasts, we’ll give you more details on how these scanning systems will work locally, helping keep our communities safe from illegal drugs and crime.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Money stolen from a tip jar leads to an arrest only one block from the scene of the alleged crime.

On Tuesday, Laredo officers responded to a call at a restaurant on the 3500 block of San Bernardo Ave. around 8:00 p.m. There, police were notified that an individual had taken money from the restaurant’s tip jar and had taken off.

Officers were given a detailed description of the suspect and located a person matching that description on the 3600 block of San Bernardo.

Orlando Benedetto, 31, was arrested after further investigation and was charged with possession of a controlled substance when officers discovered drug paraphernalia and a “white rocky substance” in a dollar bill.