Texas DPS Trooper Stops Smuggling Operation, Rescues 5-Year-Old Girl in Val Verde County
A Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Trooper recently uncovered a harrowing child smuggling operation in Del Rio, Val Verde County. The discovery was made during a traffic stop after border surveillance cameras captured images of a man carrying a child across the Rio Grande, prompting swift action from law enforcement.
The Traffic Stop and Discovery
Acting on information provided by the border surveillance system, a DPS Trooper pulled over a Ram 1500 on a highway north of Del Rio. Inside the vehicle, officers found a 5-year-old girl who had just been illegally smuggled across the border. The child, a Mexican national, matched the description from the surveillance footage.
The child’s mother, Dolores Lopez, was also in the truck. Lopez, a Mexican citizen living temporarily in North Carolina, admitted to hiring an online smuggling network to bring her daughter into the United States. According to Lopez, she had agreed to pay the smugglers $8,000 for their services.
Arrest of the Smuggler
The driver of the truck, identified as 27-year-old Roman Ibarra Rojo, a permanent U.S. resident originally from Mexico, confessed to being hired to transport the child. He admitted that he was to be paid $1,000 for his role in the operation. Rojo was arrested at the scene and charged with smuggling a person under 18, a serious felony offense in Texas.
Both the mother and child were handed over to U.S. Border Patrol for further processing. Meanwhile, the Texas DPS has launched a follow-up investigation and is working with the District Attorney’s Office to determine whether Lopez will face additional charges for organizing the smuggling attempt. Officials confirmed that the case is being reviewed carefully to assess the extent of her legal responsibility.
The Role of Smuggling Networks
This case sheds light on the alarming reach of smuggling organizations that exploit families seeking to reunite or relocate. Lopez admitted to finding the smugglers online, a troubling example of how accessible these illegal services have become. These networks often put children in dangerous and life-threatening situations, with little regard for their safety.
Law Enforcement’s Swift Action
The incident underscores the importance of advanced technology and vigilant policing in combating human smuggling. The DPS’s use of border surveillance cameras played a critical role in identifying the smuggling operation before it could go any further. Their prompt response ensured the safety of the child and the arrest of the smuggler.
Cases like this highlight the ethical and legal dilemmas surrounding border security and immigration enforcement. While the smuggler faces clear legal consequences, the role of the mother—who sought the smuggling services to reunite with her daughter—adds a layer of complexity. Federal authorities must balance the enforcement of immigration laws with the welfare of the child involved.
Ongoing Investigation
Texas DPS has pledged to continue investigating this case to uncover any additional individuals or networks tied to the operation. Their commitment to dismantling human smuggling rings remains strong, with a focus on protecting vulnerable individuals caught in these illegal activities.
This case serves as a reminder of the persistent challenges along the U.S.-Mexico border and the importance of coordinated efforts to address them. For families, the risks associated with illegal crossings can have life-altering consequences, both legally and personally
About The Author
