Texas Department of Public Safety troopers continue to apprehend human smugglers and rescue unaccompanied minors at the border through Gov. Greg Abbott’s border security mission, Operation Lone Star.

Recent human smuggling arrests were primarily of male Mexican nationals in the country illegally.

In one recent arrest, a smuggler led DPS troopers in a vehicle pursuit along Highway 83 in a commercial area in Hidalgo County. Using a pursuit tactic maneuver, forcing the driver to turn sideways and stop, troopers were able to end the pursuit. The driver was arrested for smuggling of persons and evading arrest. They also apprehended five Mexican nationals in the country illegally and referred them to Border Patrol.

In another apprehension, a coyote, or smuggling guide, from Mexico was apprehended after OLS officers found information posted on the social media platform, Tik Tok. The site was used to post a video of the coyote directing foreign nationals across the Rio Grande River, up the riverbank and into Texas. It also shows an alleged smuggler picking them up in a vehicle at a pre-planned location and time. The social media post enabled law enforcement to pursue the alleged smuggler and make an arrest, DPS Lt. Chris Olivarez said.