Sixteen undocumented individuals from five countries were found inside the residence and taken into custody.
 

HARLINGEN, Texas -- On June 1, ICE received a tip from an anonymous caller that multiple undocumented individuals were being hidden at a home in Mercedes. Mercedes is in Hildago County, in far South Texas.

ICE contacted the Mercedes Police Department, which conducted a welfare check of the property. Authorities spoke to the owner of the property, who admitted to harboring approximately 16 individuals inside the home.

The 16 individuals encountered were identified as nationals of Nepal, Albania, Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala. 

All of them were taken into custody for immigration violations and another individual, a Mexican national, is being questioned for his role in human smuggling.

The investigation remains ongoing. The enforcement action was supported by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. 

What they're saying:

"This operation underscores the critical role that the public and local law enforcement partners play in identifying and disrupting human smuggling operations," said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Rio Grande Valley Deputy Special Agent in Charge Mark Lippa. "Transnational criminal networks continue to endanger lives for profit. ICE will relentlessly pursue those who exploit vulnerable individuals for financial gain."