Authorities Say Illegals Smuggling Moving Away from 77

Authorities Say Illegals Smuggling Moving Away from 77

Manuel De La Rosa


(June 20, 2008)

SINTON--It's called Operation Borderstar and it's an ongoing effort to stop human and drug smuggling across the Mexican border. Those in charge said it's been a success, but they also said it's forced smugglers to use less traveled roads and it's forced law officers to adjust their tactics as well.

Authorities can be seen on Highway 77 from Kleberg to Refugio county. Because of that, they said smugglers aren't using that corridor as much to move illegal immigrants.

Authorities say Highway 77 used to be known as the main smuggling corridor for illegal immigrants, but lately, officers are seeing a dropoff in the number of bailouts in this area. Commanders said it's due to Operation Borderstar.

"We believe we're have an effect on the smuggling trade that's goes north on U.S. 77.," said Sheriff Leroy Moody of the San Patricio County Sheriff's Department.

Ranchers report seeing more illegals being smuggled in remote areas of the Coastal Bend. Authorities said smugglers are using new routes west of Highway 77. They said the most popular is Farm-to-Market road 666 through Mathis.

"It's being pushed over to 281, State Highway 16, Interstate 35 from Laredo and all the farm roads in between," Sheriff Moody said.

Because of that, officers working Borderstar operations are changing their patrol routes in an effort to catch the smugglers.

"We may work 77 for two to three hours," Sheriff Moody said. "We may flip them somewhere else. In other words, we don't keep a set route and we don't keep a set routine."

While this may put a dent in the smuggling traffic, Sheriff Moody said all agencies from Jim Hogg to Aransas County need to work together. To be successful.

"You got to put somebody on every road at the same time simultaneously," said Sheriff Moody. "That's the only way you can shut it down."

That's a tall order for authorities who have been dealing with this problem for decades.

http://www.kiiitv.com/news/local/20617174.html