A shocking smuggling operation near the border in Del Rio, Texas, has shed light on the dangerous lengths some families go to for a better future. On Friday, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers arrested a man accused of smuggling a 5-year-old girl into the United States from Mexico in a scheme that reportedly involved an $8,000 payment by the girl’s mother.
The incident began when Texas DPS received information from border surveillance, which captured footage of a man carrying a young child across the Rio Grande. Acting on this tip, troopers stopped a Dodge pickup truck in Del Rio and uncovered a disturbing sequence of events. The young girl had been carried across the river, placed into another smuggler’s vehicle, and driven to a hotel before being transferred into the pickup.
Lt. Chris Olivarez, a spokesperson for Texas DPS, explained the significance of the operation. The troopers had been keeping a close eye on the vehicle before deciding to pull it over. Once stopped, they discovered the child inside the truck. She matched the surveillance footage, including a distinct bow in her hair that had been captured on camera.
Speaking with the girl in Spanish, the troopers confirmed her identity and learned she was from Mexico. Dolores Lopez, the girl’s mother, was also inside the vehicle at the time. Lopez, who is a temporary resident of North Carolina and originally from Mexico, admitted to arranging for her daughter’s illegal journey. She told troopers she had found the smuggling organization online and agreed to pay $8,000 to have her daughter brought into the United States.
The alleged smuggler, Roman Ibarra Rojo, was identified as a Mexican national. During questioning, Rojo confessed to being part of the operation and revealed he was set to receive $1,000 for smuggling the child. Further investigation uncovered that Rojo had a history of similar offenses, having been arrested in 2022 for smuggling. This repeat offense highlights ongoing concerns about individuals repeatedly engaging in human trafficking operations despite previous arrests.
Texas DPS arrested Rojo and charged him with smuggling a person under the age of 18. Meanwhile, Lopez and her daughter were referred to U.S. Border Patrol. Authorities have recommended charging Lopez with endangering her child, though the final decision on prosecution will rest with the district attorney.
This case has once again highlighted the desperate measures taken by families and the alarming prevalence of smuggling networks that exploit their vulnerability. Lt. Olivarez stressed the importance of cracking down on these criminal organizations that profit from human desperation, endangering lives in the process. The story of a mother willing to pay such a high price for her child’s journey reflects the harsh realities faced by many and the dangerous risks involved in such operations.
As the investigation continues, the case serves as a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding immigration and border enforcement. Lives hang in the balance as authorities work to dismantle smuggling networks and address the root causes of illegal crossings.