Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers apprehended a suspected Gulf Cartel operative on Tuesday for allegedly facilitating the illegal entry of five individuals into the United States from Mexico. Lt. Chris Olivarez of the Texas DPS publicized the arrest on Twitter Wednesday, sharing footage of an interview with Jose Juan Eufracio Medina, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico.
According to Lt. Olivarez, DPS brush and drone teams identified Medina, acting as a "coyote" or smuggler, leading a group across the Rio Grande River. Medina allegedly provided a ladder to assist the group in scaling the border wall.
In the recorded interview, Medina initially denied leading the group, claiming he wanted the actual guide, whom he was in phone contact with, to join them in crossing. Medina stated he personally paid $1,000 to enter the U.S.
Later in the interview, Medina admitted to holding the ladder for the group as they climbed the border wall, claiming he did so to prevent falls and maintaining he was not affiliated with them. When questioned about why the group followed him, Medina suggested it might be due to his perceived wisdom and competence.
Medina and the five undocumented individuals from Mexico, El Salvador, and Guatemala were taken into custody. According to the social media post, Medina eventually disclosed to DPS officials that he was en route to Houston and affiliated with the Gulf Cartel.
