Three arrested after smuggling immigrants in trailer home

5/11/2014

Three people are behind bars after they were allegedly part of a smuggling scheme with 59 illegal immigrants in a stash house.

Authorities arrested the following men:

- David Reynoso-Macedo, 42
- Cristobal Garduno-Serrano, 31
- Alfredo Ovalle-Gaytan, 44

Documents stated that the Mexican nationals smuggled the immigrants, and hid them in a white mobile home on the 7300 block of West Mile 8 Road in Mission.

The McAllen Border Patrol Joint Targeting Team (JTT), McAllen Homeland Security Investigations (HSI McAllen), Alton Police Department, the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Department and Border Patrol assisted in the investigation after receiving  a tip for a stash house May 5th.

Authorities conducted an investigation and saw a tan 2003 Chevrolet pickup truck, a black 2002 Mercury Mountaineer and a 2007 Ford Fusion leave a residence on the 6700 block of North Taylor Road in Mission.

Alton police assisted in a traffic stop after the Mercury Mountaineer drove into multiple lanes.

Serrano, along with two other males were in the vehicle at the time.

Agents then followed the Mountaineer to the mobile home where the men allegedly dropped off groceries, and then left.

Police stopped the Mountaineer once again for a seatbelt violation.

Documents stated that three illegal immigrants were inside the vehicle with Serrano.

All four were taken to the Alton Police Department for questioning.

Serrano reportedly told authorities there were around 50 illegal immigrants in the trailer.

Authorities continued to monitor the stash house, and said a gray Ford Mustang then transported a man to a Ford Fusion at a nearby Dollar Store parking lot.

The Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office stopped the Fusion that had Gaytan and an immigrant inside.

JTT agents and the Hidalgo County Sherriff’s Department then went to the trailer home, where Macedo allowed them access inside.

Authorities found 59 immigrants inside the stash house.

Macedo reportedly told authorities he was smuggling the immigrants to pay off his debt within three months.

Documents stated that Serrano was going to be paid $100 to take groceries to the stash house.

Gaytan reportedly said he was going to get paid $20 for each person he smuggled.

All three men are currently in the custody of Border Patrol.

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