United States

Human Smugglers Hiring Young Women As Drivers: Police

Authorities in the Rio Grande Valley say jail records indicate human smugglers are targeting young women to hire as drivers.

La Joya Independent School District Police Chief Raul Gonzalez tells The Brownsville Herald the activity was "bound to happen" because police along the border have been cracking down on smugglers using young men and boys as drivers.

Authorities say the money is enticing -- $1,250 a day -- and no experience and even no valid license is necessary.

In one recent bust, an 18-year-old woman from Mission was pulled over just north of the Rio Grande for a routine traffic offense and was found carrying five wet and muddy passengers who were in the U.S. illegally. It was her second arrest in four months for the same offense.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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