Tagged News

• Alleged human smugglers arrested following vehicle pursuit in Cameron County Play Video

  June 28, 2025 1:47 PM

  Two men were arrested in Cameron County on charges of human smuggling, according to Texas Department of Public Safety spokesperson Lt. Chris Olivarez. In a post on X, Olivarez said Mexican national Jesus Yair Hernandez Rojas, who was in the country illegally, was charged with four counts of smuggling... more »

• SPECIAL REPORT: Guns, lies and fear in the Rio Grande Valley Play Video

  February 6, 2020 10:28 PM

  HARLINGEN – Federal agents say they’re seeing a spike in straw purchases in the Rio Grande Valley. An AK-47 is a very common weapon people will break the law to attempt to buy. CHANNEL 5 NEWS spoke with investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along... more »

• Man Faces Several Charges for Allegedly Running 8-Liner Establishment Play Video

  December 31, 2019 9:39 PM

  MCALLEN – A suspect is facing several charges after being arrested for allegedly running an eight-liner business. According to police, Samuel Hernandez was giving illegal payouts to customers. The authorities seized 40 machines inside an office building. The windows to that building were blacked out to hide what... more »

• Illegal 'Secret Sister' Gift Exchange Online Prompts Alert Play Video

  December 17, 2019 6:20 PM

  WESLACO – An online holiday gift exchange seems to be harmless fun, but it could leave you empty handed. Jennifer McCaleb is used to looking out for deceitful posts on Facebook. Now, she's looking out for the "Secret Sister" reuse, which starts with a viral post that reads: ... more »

• Valley Health Officials Cracking Down on Street Vendors Illegally Selling Homemade Food Play Video

  December 3, 2019 6:28 PM

  HARLINGEN – Officials are sending out a warning the public about homemade products bought off the street could put your health at risk. Buying homemade products is not only a health risk, but it’s also illegal under the Cottage Food Law. It’s been in place since 2013 and it... more »

• The Impact: Gill Net Poaching on the Rio Grande Play Video

  October 31, 2019 10:13 PM

  BROWNSVILLE – In the pitch black of night, Texas Game Wardens hunt for illegal gill nets along the Rio Grande. The nets can stretch from Mexico to the United States trapping, killing fish; cutting into a dwindling supply. Not only do officials hunt in the dark with lights... more »

• Weed Candy Bust Prompts Warning to Valley Parents Ahead of Halloween Play Video

  October 21, 2019 6:03 PM

  EDINBURG – A so-called weed candy bust is prompting a warning from Edinburg police for parents to stay vigilant this Halloween. An executed search warrant by police, a special crimes unit and SWAT led to over a pound of marijuana and two kilos of edibles, or weed candy, being... more »

• Brass Knuckles Set to be Legal to Possess in Texas Play Video

  August 27, 2019 5:38 PM

  WESLACO – A Texas law will give residents a new way to arm themselves. Government officials say it's meant for self defense. In less than a week, brass knuckles will be legal to possess. These weapons have always been around, but they were illegal to carry in... more »

• CBP Arrest 2 Men Using Documents Not Their Own at Hidalgo Bridge Play Video

  August 27, 2019 4:33 PM

  HIDALGO – Two men from Mexico are now facing charges after they both tried to pass off documents as theirs at the Hidalgo International Bridge. The documents were real, but they didn't belong to the people trying to use them. Less than an hour later, at the same... more »

• Hidalgo Co. Woman Concerned Smuggling Activity Taking Place in Neighborhood Play Video

  July 30, 2019 4:36 PM

  WESLACO - An Hidalgo County woman is worried about what is happening on her block. She says she thinks her neighbor is taking part in illegal activity. At first, this was going to be a story about a contractor who was accused of not finishing a... more »

• Brooks Co. Sees Increase in Bailouts Involving Immigrants Play Video

  May 17, 2019 5:14 PM

  FALFURRIAS – Two hours north and close to 100 miles from the southern border, the scenery is different. Hundreds of immigrants are surrendering to Border Patrol agents and local police in the Rio Grande Valley, but some manage to slip by. Many of them end up in Brooks... more »

• Sullivan City Police Not Shying Away from Assisting Border Patrol Play Video

  May 16, 2019 5:28 PM

  SULLIVAN CITY – Border Patrol continues to be overwhelmed by non-stop traffic coming across the Rio Grande. Local law enforcement is stepping up to lend a helping hand. Sullivan City is a hotspot for people crossing the border illegally; police say they’re showing up by the hundreds to... more »

• Another Arrest Made in Voter Fraud Investigation Play Video

  April 25, 2019 4:50 PM

  EDINBURG- Man arrested for allegedly voting illegally in the November 2017 Election. Gregorio Alaniz is accused of voting in October 2017 in Edinburg. According to a warrant of arrest , Alaniz lives at an address on Mile 14 road, which is located outside the city of Edinburg. ... more »

• Organization Demands Solutions For Immigration Surge Play Video

  April 3, 2019 5:27 PM

  WESLACO - The surge of immigrants traveling to the southern border has the nation wanting solutions from Congress to create change. CHANNEL 5 NEWS spoke to a group working to change opinions about how to fix the issue across Texas and the country. Ira Mehlman is the Media... more »

• Local Police Dept. Encountering Illegal Immigration Reports Play Video

  March 18, 2019 4:31 PM

  PENITAS – Penitas police say there is an increase of people crossing the border illegally, resulting in an increase police activity in the area. Police Investigator Sergeant Oscar Barron says officers are seeing more surrenders. He explains their numbers tripled what they were experiencing a few months ago.... more »

• Brooks Co. Resident Concerned New Checkpoint Will Affect Border Patrol Manpower Play Video

  March 6, 2019 4:40 PM

  FALFURRIAS – A local resident says he wants to know if Border Patrol agents will be reassigned to the field when the new checkpoint opens. A new Border Patrol checkpoint is under construction south of Falfurrias. Local land owner, Michael Vickers, says he watches out for illegal traffic... more »

• Group Patrolling Corridor in Brooks Co. Known to Carry Migrants into US Play Video

  March 1, 2019 6:07 PM

  FALFURRIAS – People in Brooks County say they’re seeing more illegal foot traffic. KRGV’s Christian von Preysing explains what local ranchers are planning to do in response to this. Dr. Michael Vickers runs one of the long-standing veterinarian clinics in Falfurrias and also owns land along Highway 281... more »

• 13 Fishermen from Mexico Detained for Illegal Fishing Play Video

  February 28, 2019 5:31 PM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – A routine patrol by a Coast Guard helicopter led to the detainment of 13 fishermen. The Coast Guard says the fishermen were illegally fishing more than 4,600 pounds of red snapper, north of South Padre Island near Port Mansfield. Jason Ferguson from the Texas... more »

• Border Patrol Reports Increase in Number of Family Apprehensions Play Video

  February 28, 2019 5:03 PM

  HIDALGO – Border Patrol agents say apprehension numbers show more families crossing the border illegally. Border Patrol Supervisory Agent Dustin Araujo explains thousands of people are coming through Hidalgo and Starr Counties. In 2014, Border Patrol agents apprehended more than 52,000 people; the numbers for 2018 show a... more »

• Separated Guatemalan Boy Still in Federal Custody Play Video

  February 14, 2019 9:18 PM

  RAYMONDVILLE – A boy was separated from his father nine months after crossing into the country illegally, the Guatemalan family remains separated; the boy is staying at a shelter in the Valley. This week, a lawsuit was filed requesting the child be released from the government's custody, but a... more »

• Human Smuggling Attempt Stopped in Falfurrias Play Video

  February 13, 2019 6:36 PM

  FALFURRIAS – A human smuggling attempt was put to a stop at the Falfurrias checkpoint. Agents at the checkpoint found ten people in the U.S. illegally, hidden inside a tractor-trailer on Tuesday. The people are believed to be from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. The driver... more »

• Health Officials Warn About Illegal Valentine's Gift Vendors Play Video

  February 13, 2019 4:17 PM

  HARLINGEN – Health officials are warning about illegal Valentine’s Day gift street vendors. Valentine’s Day gift vendor Lucy Salinas says she has to get a tax ID, have the application notarized, and pass several inspections before being able to start her business. "I have to come to the... more »

• Rancher Claims Neighbor Running Illegal Gun Range Play Video

  February 8, 2019 5:46 PM

  EDINBURG – A rancher claims his neighbor should be held accountable for the death of his bull. Ruben Elizondo says he was feeding his herd of eight cattle when he noticed there was only seven and smelled a strong odor. He says he found his bull dead on... more »

• Landowner Protects Property to Keep Trespassers Out Play Video

  February 6, 2019 5:25 PM

  BLUETOWN – A Cameron County man says his property is a corridor for illegal trespassers and thieves. Robert Martinez says over the years, he’s put up several lines of defense to protect his property from trespassers. Martinez says many of them are people crossing the border illegally. ... more »

• Concerns Arise Over Local Alcohol Sales through Social Media Play Video

  February 6, 2019 4:51 PM

  WESLACO – The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is actively investigating three cases involving sales of alcohol on social media. TABC sergeant Brent Puente says there's a growing number of sales on local Facebook marketplaces. A South Texas College student says she is concerned about the trend of alcohol... more »

• Brownsville Landlord Finds 18 People in US Illegally in Apartment Play Video

  January 30, 2019 6:27 PM

  BROWNSVILLE – A local landlord says his rental apartment was being used as a hideaway for people in the U.S. illegally. He says he has done business in the lower part of the Rio Grande Valley for 35 years and for the first time, people in his neighborhood are... more »

• Former CBP Agent Sentenced to 2 Years for Accepting Bribe Play Video

  January 29, 2019 3:54 PM

  MISSION – A former Customs and Border Protection officer was sentenced to two and a half years in federal prison for accepting a $500 bribe. Jose Javier 'J.J.' Gonzalez pleaded guilty to bribery of a public official. Prosecutors say in 2014 the 38-year-old accepted a bribe to issue... more »

• Mother of Border Patrol Agent Killed while Fishing Speaks to President Play Video

  January 10, 2019 5:05 PM

  MCALLEN – The mother of a Border Patrol agent killed while fishing with his family spoke with President Donald Trump Thursday. The mother of a former agent, Marie Vega, stood before a panel of Washington leaders and reminded them no parent should bury their child. Agent Javier Vega... more »

• Residents Hopeful for Clarification of Presumed Border Crisis Play Video

  January 9, 2019 4:26 PM

  MCALLEN – Some residents are hopeful President Trump’s visit to the border will result in a better understanding of immigration. Sister Norma Pimentel runs a growing respite center in McAllen. She says it is a place for asylum seekers processed by federal agents. President Donald Trump explains... more »

• Jury Selection to Begin for Valley Man Accused of Illegally Flying 4 People into U.S. Play Video

  January 7, 2019 6:57 PM

  WESLACO – Jury selection is set to start Tuesday in the Rio Grande Valley for a man accused of flying four people without permission to be in the U.S. into the Weslaco airport. According to court records, 80-year-old Louis Luyton flew four Central American men in to the U.S.... more »

• Local Law Enforcement Gives Safety Tips ahead of New Year's Celebrations Play Video

  December 31, 2018 3:43 PM

  ELSA – People across the Rio Grande Valley are preparing to ring the new year with family traditions, such as fireworks. A local firework vendor explains to CHANNEL 5 NEWS the dangers of using fireworks and why it’s illegal to sell these to children under the age of 16.... more »

• Victims’ Options Limited in Fake Indian Tribe Case Play Video

  April 27, 2018 4:49 PM

  BROWNSVILLE – A victim in a 2014 fraud case continues looking for answers. She wants to know if she'll ever get her money back and if her husband will gain legal status. She’s part of a larger group who were taken advantage of by three people claiming to be from... more »