Authorities detain 30 immigrants found at Edinburg stash house

Authorities detain 30 immigrants found at Edinburg stash house
June 23, 2009 - 4:00 PM
Ana Ley
The Monitor

EDINBURG — Authorities detained 30 undocumented immigrants late Tuesday morning after a raid on a stash house here, officials said.

U.S. Border Patrol spokesman John Lopez said law enforcement agencies searched the house at 717 Jade St. near Edinburg after neighbors reported suspicious activity at that address.

"They said something was going on there," Lopez said. "We weren't sure if we'd find narcotics or illegal aliens."

Someone inside the home gave officers consent to enter and search the home about 11 a.m., Lopez said.

Investigators found 30 undocumented immigrants inside the house - immigration officials detained 16 from Mexico, six from Guatemala, five from El Salvador and three from Honduras.

Officials with the Border Patrol, the Edinburg Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement took part in the raid.

Investigators are still following leads to identify the smugglers responsible for setting up the stash house.

"We haven't yet determined who is culpable," ICE spokeswoman Nina Pruneda said. "We're trying to talk to (the detained immigrants)."

Lopez said everyone inside appeared to be in good health.

On Monday, the Brownsville Police Department's SWAT team defused a standoff at a home where 12 undocumented immigrants were being held captive by armed gunmen.

Officers negotiated with the three gunmen, who were later arrested.