LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Reports say that starting Saturday, February 8, Mexico will begin transitioning into a new system for ANAM.

This change will mean that every truck heading to Mexico will have to present written documentation, which would increase processing times, leading to a heavy traffic flow going towards the World Trade Bridge.

Police are asking non-commercial drivers to try to avoid the westbound lanes of Loop 20 as that could see longer delays.

The department will have a special operation active to address the traffic issues.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - With Super Bowl Sunday just days away, Laredo shoppers have only a few more chances to snag their team gear before the big game.

In Downtown Laredo, business owners noted that this year’s Super Bowl hasn’t generated as much excitement as previous years.

While sales have been slower than expected, vendors remain hopeful that last-minute shoppers will bring a surge in business as kickoff approaches.

In any case, they’re fully stocked, ready to go and offering great deals. “The truth is that we prepared ourselves well in advance. Right now, we just put on a special to get people excited. Our shirts are at $7.99 right now. We have shirts from $7.99 to $13. That way we’re trying to help increase sales,” said downtown business owner, Leonides Ibanez.

Ibanez noted that, based on the items sold, there is no clear preference between the two teams, with sales being split evenly.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Police are asking for help to find a person they believe is connected to a series of burglaries in downtown Laredo.

The case was first reported on Jan. 11 at the 3400 block of San Eduardo. Officers have released a photo of the suspect, who was last seen wearing black pants or jeans, white sneakers, and has a beard.

If you have any information, call 727-TIPS.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A Webb County grand jury indicts for the first time, a fentanyl case leading to the death of an individual and charging them with murder.

On Wednesday, February 5, Melanie Ashley Villarreal was indicted for the murder of Juan Miguel Esquivel, who died on September 15, 2023.

The State Federal Fentanyl Overdose Task Force the District Attorney’s Office is part of conducted the investigation leading to the indictment.

As of now, no date has been set for Villareal’s arraignment. She is currently serving two concurrent 10-year sentences for possession of fentanyl and cocaine.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Two Laredo men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to smuggle undocumented migrants for profit.

34-year-old Danny Nuñez is alleged to have organized the smuggling of hundreds of undocumented immigrants in Laredo, dating back to March of 2023.

An investigation tied Nuñez to a smuggling event in December 2023. That’s when law enforcement observed several people being loaded into a white trailer at a warehouse parking lot. A search revealed more than 100 people locked inside a trailer, including children.

A second man, 49-year-old Juan Manuel Aguirre, pleaded guilty to conspiracy concerning the same event. Now, both Nuñez and Aguirre face up to 10 years in prison and will remain in custody pending sentencing.

COTULLA, Tex. (KGNS) - Border Patrol agents in Cotulla caught two people in the country illegally on Tuesday, February 4, both with past convictions for crimes against children, officials said.

Agents found Hector Olvera-Espinosa in a group of five people. A record check showed he had been convicted of sodomy of a child, rape of a child, and having a deadly weapon with intent to attack.

Later that day, Border Patrol agents and Texas state troopers stopped a truck and found Vianey Garcia-Velazquez, who was also in the country illegally. Records showed she had past convictions for sexual performance with a child, indecency with a child, and having child pornography.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A man has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run incident in Rio Bravo that occurred early Thursday morning.

According to the Webb County Sheriff’s Office, Cody Atwood was allegedly behind the wheel of a Mazda involved in the crash. Family members identified the victim as 62-year-old Rafael Gutierrez.

The incident took place just before 6 a.m. while Gutierrez was walking along Centeno Street. Authorities credit support from the community for Atwood’s arrest.

Atwood has been charged with collision involving serious bodily injury.