I-10 stop yields two arrests, sends three to immigration authorities

A traffic stop on Interstate 10 as part of Operation BorderStar has resulted in the arrest of two people on multiple charges and the apprehension of three individuals believed to be in the country without legal permission.

According to a press release from the Gonzales County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy working overtime on a Texas state grant for Operation BorderStar conducted a traffic stop at 8:50 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, on I-10 on a vehicle for having no insurance.

There were five individuals in the vehicle, and during the investigation, three of those admitted to being in the United States illegally and to paying the driver to transport them to Houston. The deputy also located five grams of cocaine and recovered a handgun which had been reported stolen in Louisiana in 2014.

Two of the occupants — a male and female whose names have not yet been released — were arrested and charged with smuggling of persons, possession of a controlled substance, and theft of a handgun. The three individuals believed to be in the country without permission were handed over to the United States Customs and Border Protection.

“The sheriff’s office is grateful each year we are awarded grants from the state allowing our deputies to work extra in order to provide a more safe community for all citizens in Gonzales County.,” the press release stated.