U.S. Border Patrol officials say nearly 50 undocumented immigrants were apprehended in Mississippi during the last week of April.
In partnership with Homeland Security Investigations and local law enforcement agencies, U.S. Border Patrol’s New Orleans Sector conducted a sting called “Operation Magnolia” to arrest 48 undocumented immigrants traveling through Mississippi across the Interstate 10 corridor in Harrison County.
Those taken into custody hailed from Mexico, Nicaragua, Kazakhstan, Honduras, Colombia, and Guatemala, along with three U.S. citizens who were charges with various federal crimes. Each of the 48 immigrants were processed for removal from the U.S., while eight of the subjects are set to be prosecuted for re-entry after previous deportation. One undocumented individual was also charged with attempting to use false documents.
In addition to the arrests, $104,000 in cash, multiple firearms and magazines, and other illegal contraband was seized.
“If you attempt to smuggle narcotics, contraband, or illegal aliens through Alabama, Mississippi, or Louisiana, you will be caught prosecuted, and put in jail,” New Orleans Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Adam Calderon said. “The U.S. Border Patrol is committed to enforcing our nation’s laws.”
Operation Magnolia, a collaborative initiative between federal and state law enforcement partners that aims to identify, apprehend, and prosecute undocumented immigrants in Mississippi and surrounding states, previously led to the arrest of 25 undocumented immigrants in Pearl during March.
