INSIDER
Leader of San Antonio-based human smuggling operation sentenced to 30 years in federal prison
Read full article: Leader of San Antonio-based human smuggling operation sentenced to 30 years in federal prisonA federal judge in Del Rio sentenced a man this week behind a human smuggling operation headquartered in San Antonio.
2 San Antonio arrests made in connection with Tren de Aragua gang, Department of Homeland Security says
Read full article: 2 San Antonio arrests made in connection with Tren de Aragua gang, Department of Homeland Security saysThe Department of Homeland Security said Friday that its Homeland Security Investigations agents arrested two people in connection with a Venezuelan transnational gang.
Man sentenced to prison for transporting hundreds of migrants through San Antonio, other Texas cities
Read full article: Man sentenced to prison for transporting hundreds of migrants through San Antonio, other Texas citiesA Dallas man was sentenced to seven years in prison this week for his alleged involvement in transporting migrants through San Antonio and throughout the state.
Feds search Sean 'Diddy' Combs’ properties as part of sex trafficking probe, AP sources say
Read full article: Feds search Sean 'Diddy' Combs’ properties as part of sex trafficking probe, AP sources sayTwo law enforcement officials have told The Associated Press that two properties belonging to music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs in Los Angeles and Miami were searched by federal Homeland Security Investigations agents and other law enforcement as part of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation.
18 migrants discovered in tractor-trailer in San Antonio, federal officials say
Read full article: 18 migrants discovered in tractor-trailer in San Antonio, federal officials sayEighteen migrants were found inside a tractor-trailer Tuesday night on the city’s South Side, according to Homeland Security Investigations.
Man arrested after group of migrants found trapped in train car near Uvalde; new details released
Read full article: Man arrested after group of migrants found trapped in train car near Uvalde; new details releasedA man was arrested after a dozen migrants were found in a train car east of Knippa on Friday, according to a criminal complaint from Homeland Security Investigations that revealed new details in the smuggling operation that left two men dead.
Growing human smuggling operations becoming more strategic, HSI agent says
Read full article: Growing human smuggling operations becoming more strategic, HSI agent saysHomeland Security Investigations' mission is to dismantle organizations responsible for cases like those seen this past weekend, where migrants were found trapped inside rail cars, resulting in injuries and several deaths.
17 migrants found trapped in train car near Uvalde: 2 dead, others hospitalized
Read full article: 17 migrants found trapped in train car near Uvalde: 2 dead, others hospitalized“It’s sad to see that so many undocumented immigrants were found in this condition, and two of them lost their lives. It’s heartbreaking,” Rodriguez said.
McManus at 2017 scene of migrants found in trailer: ‘We are not involving ICE in this investigation’
Read full article: McManus at 2017 scene of migrants found in trailer: ‘We are not involving ICE in this investigation’After San Antonio police on Monday evening discovered more than 40 people dead in a tractor-trailer on the Southwest Side, officials within hours handed off the investigation to federal immigration authorities and took on a support role.
Big cross-border tunnel found linking Tijuana, San Diego
Read full article: Big cross-border tunnel found linking Tijuana, San DiegoAuthorities have announced the discovery of a major drug smuggling tunnel — running about the length of a six football fields — from Mexico to a warehouse in an industrial area in the U.S. The cross-border tunnel from Tijuana to the San Diego area was built in one of the most fortified stretches of the border, illustrating the limitations of border walls.
Correction: Homeland Security body cameras story
Read full article: Correction: Homeland Security body cameras storyIn a story published Dec. 21 about the use of body cameras by an investigative unit of the Department of Homeland Security, The Associated Press erroneously reported that agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Phoenix and Detroit were the first federal officers to wear body cams.
Ancient tablet acquired by Hobby Lobby going back to Iraq
Read full article: Ancient tablet acquired by Hobby Lobby going back to IraqIt was looted from an Iraqi museum 30 years ago, Now, a 3,500-year-old clay tablet discovered in the ruins of the library of an ancient Middle Eastern king is finally headed back to Iraq.
Dallas man arrested in San Antonio after dozens flee 18-wheeler at far East Side truck stop, officials say
Read full article: Dallas man arrested in San Antonio after dozens flee 18-wheeler at far East Side truck stop, officials sayA Dallas man was arrested in San Antonio and is facing a federal charge in connection with a smuggling operation on the far East Side, according to Homeland Security Investigations.
28 loaded on VIA buses, 1 hospitalized after dozens bail out of 18-wheeler at far East Side truck stop, SAPD says
Read full article: 28 loaded on VIA buses, 1 hospitalized after dozens bail out of 18-wheeler at far East Side truck stop, SAPD saysHomeland Security Investigations responded to a call from San Antonio after police say 80 to 100 people escaped from the back of an 18-wheeler when an officer arrived to investigate the suspicious big rig at a far East Side truck stop.
Beware of COVID-19 scams as vaccine approaches FDA approval
Read full article: Beware of COVID-19 scams as vaccine approaches FDA approvalHomeland Security investigators are working with Pfizer, Moderna and dozens of other drug companies racing to complete and distribute the vaccine and treatments for the virus. “We're all very excited about the potential vaccine and treatments,” said Steve Francis, assistant director for global trade investigations with Homeland Security Investigations. Homeland Security Investigations started using its 7,000 agents in tandem with border, FDA and FBI officials to investigate scams, seize phony products and arrest hundreds of people. Homeland Security Investigations made more than 1,600 seizures of products worth more than $27 million and made more than 185 arrests. Meanwhile, Homeland Security investigators and others are trying to send the message now to the public before the vaccines are approved and begin distribution.
Cibolo businessman charged with wire fraud in online firearm sales scheme, officials say
Read full article: Cibolo businessman charged with wire fraud in online firearm sales scheme, officials sayCIBOLO, Texas – A federal grand jury has charged a Cibolo businessman with wire fraud in a scheme involving online firearm sales, officials said. William Badberg, 44, who owns Bullit Proof Arms in Schertz, is charged with 12 counts of wire fraud. A federal indictment says Badberg advertised the sale of firearms on the internet, including on a website he controlled, but failed to deliver the weapons to the buyers despite being paid for the items. Homeland Security Investigations agents arrested Badberg on Monday at his home. If convicted, Badberg faces a maximum possible term of 20 years in federal prison for each count of wire fraud.
Man arrested after gun shop, home raided, Homeland Security Investigations officials say
Read full article: Man arrested after gun shop, home raided, Homeland Security Investigations officials sayCIBOLO, Texas – Homeland Security Investigations officials say a man is behind bars following two raids on Monday. The raids were conducted at a gun shop on I-35 and FM 3009 and at a home on Penick Way in Cibolo. HSI says the investigation is in connection with wire fraud and firearms. KSAT is working to gather more details and will provide updates as new information becomes available.
36 migrants were found under a load of gravel in the secret compartment of a dump truck
Read full article: 36 migrants were found under a load of gravel in the secret compartment of a dump truck(CNN) -- A tip from an anonymous caller led police in Laredo, Texas, to a surprising discovery: 36 migrants trapped in a hidden compartment inside a dump truck that appeared to be hauling gravel. Later that morning, they received a call reporting that people were concealed in a compartment inside the vehicle. Investigators found that plywood sheets had been installed inside the truck, creating the hidden compartment. The migrants who'd been trapped in the truck are now in the custody of federal immigration authorities, police said. In the past, CBP has released reports of large groups of migrants trapped inside trucks and warned that smugglers are placing migrants' lives in danger.
How the dark web is fueling the opioid crisis in America
Read full article: How the dark web is fueling the opioid crisis in AmericaHomeland Security Investigations is trying to fight the opioid crisis by providing virtual currency training to law enforcement departments around the nation. HSI said that drug dealers are taking advantage of the dark web and digital currency, like Bitcoin, to sell opioids and other narcotics anonymously. The HSI training teaches law enforcement departments to know what to look for when investigating narcotics trafficking on the dark web. San Antonio departments will be taking part in the training in the near future. To read the full story, click here.
Letter: Criminal investigations hampered by deportations, detentions
Read full article: Letter: Criminal investigations hampered by deportations, detentionsAUSTIN – Texas Observer reporter Jason Buch has obtained a letter signed by 19 special agents in charge of Homeland Security Investigations, or HSI, asking Sec. Kirstjen Nielsen to split off HSI to avoid confusion with Enforcement and Removal Operations, or ERO. The letter describes the perception that HSI has the same mission as ERO, which oversees rounding up undocumented immigrants for deportation. HSI is the criminal investigations arm of ICE. Read the letter by clicking here.