BEXAR COUNTY, Texas – A Laredo man was arrested for allegedly being involved in human smuggling operations involving 52 migrants, according to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.
Abelardo Herrera, 30, was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly being part of three human smuggling cases since June 2024, BCSO said in a social media post.
Recommended Videos
Multiple agencies collected a search warrant and 13 arrest warrants that led them to find 16 migrants at Herrera’s residence in the 4600 block of Valero Street in Laredo on Wednesday, BCSO said.
The migrants were found inside three vehicles parked in Herrera’s driveway and in a nearby shed, BCSO said.
The investigation then revealed Herrera was connected to the smuggling case of 12 migrants last week on Jan. 14.
Herrera was also found to be connected to a previous human smuggling operation in June 2024, where 24 migrants were discovered in a hidden compartment rigged on a flatbed trailer, the sheriff’s office said.
Herrera is facing the following charges:
-
10 counts of Continuous Smuggling of Persons
-
2 counts of Continuous Smuggling of Persons Under 18
-
Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity
-
Federal charges for smuggling migrants
Herrera remains in custody in Webb County and is awaiting extradition back to Bexar County, BCSO said.
Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations (CBP AMO), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) contributed to the investigation and arrest.
Also read:
