Social media used by criminal organizations to reach teen drivers.
U.S. Border Patrol has revealed that Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCO) are using social media to recruit juvenile drivers to extend the reach of their trafficking networks. Agents in the Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) have encountered and arrested minors from as far away as the Houston and San Antonio areas, some as young as 13 years of age. The TCOs lure the teens with a way to make quick money and convince them that, if apprehended, “they will not face the same consequences as adults.“
RGV Chief Patrol Agent Brian Hastings stated, “This is an alarming trend, because many of these teenagers underestimate the severity of the crime. Not only can they be prosecuted and sent to jail, but they also endanger lives through their actions. I encourage parents to talk to their children and educate them on the potential consequences and dangers of this trend.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Border Patrol agents as they encounter teen drivers engaged in human or drug trafficking.
- For wisdom for parents of teens who are being tempted by criminal organizations.
Sources: U.S. Customs and Border Protection
