Exclusive: Cartels targeting homes as smuggling profits dwindle 
Share this @internewscast.com


DEL RIO, Texas () Drug cartels are increasingly burglarizing American homes along the Texas border as immigration enforcement cuts into their human smuggling profits, law enforcement officials said.

Several homes along the Rio Grande have been broken into in recent weeks, with the most recent victim losing more than $60,000 worth of valuables, including guns, jewelry and important documents.

Frank Rivas discovered his waterfront home had been ransacked after Mexican nationals crossed the Rio Grande and stormed his property, according to officials. The burglars made off with a massive safe containing cash, weapons, collector’s items and his wife’s immigration documents.

“Anything of value was gone. Everything was rifled through. The whole house was flipped upside down,” Rivas told .

The thieves dragged the safe across the border and dumped it in the river when it became too heavy. When Rivas and a sheriff tried to retrieve it by boat, they spotted two individuals guarding the waterlogged safe and had to turn back.

“I don’t want to get shot with my own rifles,” Rivas said.

Mexican officials stood guard over the safe for days, but Rivas couldn’t retrieve it because it was in Mexico. The guns remain missing.

Law enforcement believes desperate cartels are falling back on burglaries now that human smuggling has become riskier and less profitable due to increased border enforcement.

The stretch of river near Del Rio was once the epicenter of the border crisis in 2021 but had been quiet recently. Rivas said he had let his guard down but won’t make that mistake again.

“I’m going to stay. It has to be fortified,” he said. “I have to make it somewhat of a living prison for myself, which is really sad as beautiful as this place is.”

Rivas is now installing security measures including pit bull puppies for protection and plans to add iron bars to his windows.

Other residents in the area report similar concerns and are arming themselves with firearms and less-lethal weapons. Border Patrol has increased patrols in the area to check on neighbors.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Norovirus Strikes Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship

Internet Explorer 11 is no longer supported. For the best experience, please…

Authorities Report Four Injured in Synagogue Incident

Internet Explorer 11 isn’t supported. For the best experience, please visit our…

Home Goods Opens in Statesboro Amid Ongoing Growth

STATESBORO, Ga. () — Statesboro and Bulloch County continue to see growth,…

“Tragic Loss of Harlem Middle School Student Highlights Urgent Need for Bullying Prevention”

EVANS, Ga. ()- October marks National Bullying Prevention Month, highlighting the urgent…

California Sisters Reunited After Being Missing for 36 Years

Internet Explorer 11 is not supported. For the best experience, please access…

Florida Increases Penalties for Evading Police Pursuit

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Nearly 30 new laws came into effect on…

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Pope Leo Collaborate at Climate Change Conference

IE 11 is not supported. For the best possible experience, please visit…

Two People Injured in Crash on Southbound I-81 in Sullivan County

SULLIVAN COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Two people were injured in a crash…

Residents Push Lake County to Focus on Upgrading Hartwood Marsh Road

LAKE COUNTY, Fla – Residents near Hartwood Marsh Road are eagerly waiting…

Trump Leverages Government Shutdown to Deliver Firings and Political Reprisal

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is leveraging the government shutdown as…

A comet from another solar system flies by Mars while several spacecraft observe

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – This Friday, a comet originating from a different…

Tyrese Gibson Doesn’t Surrender to Authorities After Animal Cruelty Warrant, According to Police

ATLANTA, Ga. (AP) – Actor and singer Tyrese Gibson did not surrender…