LAREDO, Texas (KGNS) – During one ride, we saw police officers working with the Border Patrol to intercept individuals trying to enter the country and identify drivers with criminal histories.

The Webb County Police Officers office in Precinct One works overtime for two weeks out of the month.

Lt. Jonathan Gonzalez was one of those deputies working in Operation Stone Garden.

Gonzalez patrols the west side of Laredo along the Rio Grande River.

The area was filled with brush and businesses on one side, and neighborhoods on the other.

Gonzalez said streets around the area were used as escape routes to get to I-35 and head north.

Gonzalez mentioned, “Once the sun goes down, that’s when you see more activity. »

Later, law enforcement saw a group of about 12 people on the Mexican side trying to cross.

Moments later, Gonzalez spotted a person who could help the smuggler pick up the migrants.

Gonzalez raised a red flag to let his partners know there might be people crossing.

“I let the Border Patrol do their job. I am looking for possible van vehicles.

The team arrived at a location where officers were actively searching for individuals who had crossed the river illegally as Gonzalez exited the vehicle to look for hiding places.

As we approached the river, other officers apprehended a family, including a 12-year-old boy and his parents.

According to Gonzalez, the family was from Guatemala and we were not allowed to speak to them.

The family was taken into a Border Patrol van and sent to a processing center.

As the federal agency took control of the situation, Gonzalez was called to assist another deputy who stopped a vehicle.

One deputy checked on the suspect and another searched for contraband.

Ultimately, the driver was arrested due to an arrest warrant.

After a long night on patrol, Gonzalez returned to the station to call it a night as he prepared to do it all again the next day.

At this time, agents and deputies remain unsure whether the remaining nine people attempted to cross the border into the United States.

Recently, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar announced more than $4 million for Operation Stone Garden in Webb County.

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