By: Yolanda Choates CBP
EAGLE PASS, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Eagle Pass Station marine unit recovered the body of a deceased man from the Rio Grande River.
“The recovery of a deceased person is one of the grimmest tasks our agents carry out,” said Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agent Raul L. Ortiz. “This tragic and most recent death highlights the danger and unpredictability of the Rio Grande River.”
U.S. Border Patrol marine agents on riverine patrol encountered a deceased person near the water treatment plant on the U.S. side of the Rio Grande River on April 11. The body was recovered from the river by the Eagle Pass Fire Department and Border Patrol marine agents, and was turned over to the custody of a Maverick County Justice of the Peace.
Since the beginning of Fiscal Year 2019, there have been three water-related deaths encountered by Del Rio Sector agents.
The Del Rio Border Patrol Sector is part of the Joint Task Force-West South Texas Corridor, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations. To report suspicious activity call the Del Rio Sector’s toll free number at 1-866-511-8727.
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.