Border Patrol: Smugglers lead group of 290 migrants into US during freezing temperatures

U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a group of 290 undocumented immigrants near Antelope Wells Port of Entry.

Early Friday morning, the agents observed a large group illegally crossing the border. Officials said the group consisted of people from Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Honduras.

During initial interviews and screenings, Border Patrol agents noticed a juvenile from Guatemalan with signs of an illness. The juvenile and his father were subsequently transported, via ambulance, to a local hospital for treatment.

A day before, Border Patrol agents observed a group of subjects dressed in camouflage hiding on the Mexican side of the border near the site of Friday’s illegal entry. “They appeared to be scouting the area for possible vulnerabilities,” the Border Patrol said.

Temperatures in the boot heel area Friday morning were below freezing. “The smugglers associated with this event showed no sense of safety and or value to human life when they guided this group into the United States illegally,” the Border Patrol said.

Customs and Border Protection officials said criminal organizations are saturating areas with large groups of undocumented migrants with the belief that they can smuggle narcotics or other contraband into the United States while Border Patrol agents are occupied.