LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - The newly appointed Border Patrol Chief Patrol Agent for the Laredo Sector shed light on the rising concerns surrounding illegal border crossings, particularly those undertaken on foot or through human smuggling, amid the scorching heat of the summer season.

The Chief highlighted the challenges faced by both Border Patrol agents and migrants attempting to navigate these treacherous conditions.

With the Laredo Sector witnessing a surge in illegal crossings, the Chief revealed alarming statistics for the current year. According to the data provided, there have been 24 reported deaths and 607 successful rescues.

The extreme heat exacerbates the dangers faced by migrants, rendering their journey all the more hazardous. Chief Patrol Agent Joel Martinez emphasized the severity of the situation by stating, “Yesterday, for example, it was about 115 degrees, so you can imagine in the back of a trailer, it would be 125, 130 degrees. You’re pretty much baking or roasting in there. I don’t recommend that to anybody. It’s not worth your life. Crossing the border illegally should not be a death sentence, and when you put your lives in the hands of these unscrupulous smugglers, that’s exactly what you’re doing.”

Recognizing the need to address this crisis, public awareness campaigns are underway, aiming to educate both migrants and the local community about the risks and potential consequences associated with illegal border crossings. These initiatives seek to inform individuals about the harsh realities of these dangerous journeys and discourage them from putting their lives in jeopardy.

LAREDO, Tex. - Human trafficking is a growing concern for law enforcement. Now that the department of homeland security is working to help educate the public and police on the dangers human trafficking, the City of Laredo is also doing its part by ensuring the police department is ready to handle these types of cases.

At Tuesday’s city council meeting, council member Ruben Gutierrez Jr. Is requesting a plan aimed at stopping human trafficking in the border city.

Gutierrez says Laredo PD will be working with the federal agencies to try to stop this problem as well as other criminal activity.

According to the human trafficking courts organization, Texas has seen over more than 180 human traffic arrest in the last three years.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - According to World Trade Bridge Officials On Friday, June 16, 2023, electrical issues on the Mexican side of the International Port of Entry caused traffic to stop flowing.

World Trade International Bridge officers were forced to stop processing commercial traffic at around 5:30 p.m. on Friday night.

Officials with the World Trade Bridge said traffic was at a complete standstill until 8 o’clock -- two and a half hours later.

These system failures on the Mexican side of the bridge caused massive delays near the World Trade Bridge, Loop 20, Flyovers, IH-35, San Dario, McPherson, Shiloh, and International.

The hours of operation were extended at the bridge for one additional hour, so officers could continue to process the commercial traffic to help alleviate traffic flow in the area.

Laredo Police had officers stationed throughout the areas where traffic was affected to help direct drivers into the early hours of Saturday, June 17, 2023.

LAREDO, TX (KGNS) - A 14-year-old boy is recovering in a San Antonio Hospital from facial injuries after he was allegedly assaulted by two other teens.

The incident happened Thursday night at the Villa Del Sol Park walking trails.

Laredo Police say the two youths allegedly attacked the 14-year-old and robbed him.

The two teenage suspects were later found and taken to the Webb County Youth Village.

They now face serious charges, including aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury and theft of property.

We’ll keep you updated once we know more.

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - Three women are facing charges following an alleged undercover prostitution sting operation in west Laredo.

The bust happened on Thursday, June 14, 2023 when narcotics officers conducted an undercover operation as a result of the increase in drug activity and prostitution along west Laredo.

Laredo Police arrested three women identified as Monica Saldaña, 41, Erica Zamora, 39 and Mary Haynes, 54.

All three were arrested and charged with prostitution.

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - The family of a man who died nearly three months ago at a halfway house in Laredo is demanding answers.

Christian Vargas Garcia, 27, was found unconscious at the Dismas Charities Center and was later pronounced dead at an area hospital.

Garcia had been arrested and convicted for a federal crime and was finishing his sentence at the center.

According to the family, Vargas was not administered an autopsy and the family was only given a death certificate that said he had died from an overdose.

The family alleges that their son was not given life saving techniques.

“It just killed us again ma’am, it killed my son again. It just opened my heart again. My wife, I have to control her. We’re just mad ma’am, that they didn’t do nothing,” said father Alberto Vargas Jr. “The investigator, she didn’t investigate. Then she calls me, gets mad at me, for telling her “Do your job” or I was going to call the FBI. They are saying that I’m threatening her that I would call the FBI, but I did already. He’s our son. We love him, he was already going to get married. He was going to get his life back. But he lost all that, he lost all that.”

KGNS has reached out to the center’s corporate offices but has not received a response.