Two Individuals Found Dead In Rio Grande River

PRESIDO, TEXAS --  In the early morning hours of Tuesday, June 27, 2017, officials from the Government of Mexico found two deceased individuals in the Rio Grande River, west of Presidio.

Agents immediately responded to assist Mexican Officials after officials from the Government of Mexico alerted Border Patrol Agents in Presidio to the discovery of two deceased subjects. “Grupo Beta”, an office under the National Institute of Migration which is charged with providing humanitarian aid to immigrants, recovered the bodies from the river.

The victims are suspected of being part of a larger group of undocumented aliens who illegally crossed into the United States in the same vicinity and were arrested by Border Patrol Agents.

The Big Bend Sector International Liaison Unit is working closely with Mexican Government authorities to identify those deceased so that the next of kin can be notified.

The landscape of Big Bend Sector is rugged and desolate and many undocumented aliens who are apprehended or rescued have been unprepared for adverse weather or for the long distances they must often travel on foot.

The Big Bend Sector maintains a Border Patrol Search, Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) unit designed to rescue those in distress. The sector also has Border Patrol Agent-EMT’s at many of its stations who respond to medical emergencies. Through its International Liaison efforts with the Government of Mexico along with the “CBP Dangers Campaign”, the United States Border Patrol is active in communicating the dangers of crossing the border illegally to potential crossers. The Big Bend Sector continues to work with its federal, state and local law enforcement partners and the Government of Mexico to secure and promote safety along the 510 miles of the southwest border for which it represents.

If you see persons in distress or come upon illegal activity, you can report it by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT, Big Bend Sector Border Patrol 1-866-581-7549 or El Paso/New Mexico area Border Patrol 1-877-872-7435.