WESLACO – A recent arrest of a suspected cop killer at the Falfurrias checkpoint has U.S. Border Patrol reporting MS-13 is the gang they often apprehend in the Rio Grande Valley.

The suspect is allegedly part of the gang. The FBI confirmed a new wave of MS-13 gang members are headed to the U.S.

During a Homeland Security subcommittee hearing, an FBI assistant director revealed new information about MS-13 gang activity. The statement made was clear.

“They are very much interested in sending younger, more violent offenders, gang members,” Stephen Richardson with the FBI said.

Peter King, a chairman, asked how McAllen coordination facilitated with International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.

“Last May, INL with the Department of Homeland Security created the Border Integration and Coordination Center, which we call GCIF,” Richard Glenn said.

Government documents show the GCIF is made up of law enforcement officers, from El Salvador, who were sent to the Valley, specifically McAllen to work with federal authorities.

Glenn said the move has been an effective tool.

“As people come across the border and have been apprehended, we can run fingerprints against databases in El Salvador. So, people who misrepresent who they are, your fingerprint don’t lie,” he said. “And that’s how we’ve been able to identify people wanted for murder back in El Salvador.”

One of those was an accused killer caught earlier this month at the Falfurrias Border Patrol checkpoint. Authorities said he was also an MS-13 gang member, wanted in El Salvador for murdering a police officer, as well as the officer’s daughter. And he’s not alone.

“Just in the last two weeks, GCIF identified 16 Salvadorian gang members. Four of which had active arrest warrants in El Salvador, crimes including aggravated homicide. They will be processed for deportation and returned to Salvadorian law enforcement authorities,” Glenn said.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions directed federal authorities to “zero in” on MS-13 gang activity three months ago.

“They’ve been arrested. They’re incarcerated. That is frustrating to the leadership of the MS-13 gang in El Salvador,” Richardson said. He added they are sending more “younger, more violent offenders” through their channels in order to be “enforcers for the gang.”