SOUTH TEXAS — Two members of the “Puro Tango Blast” gang were sentenced following a dangerous human smuggling operation that involved high-speed chases near the U.S.-Mexico border, including one incident where a smuggler crashed a vehicle into the Rio Grande and swam to Mexico to evade capture.
Sentencing and Convictions
Juan Miguel Regalado, 28, was sentenced to 66 months in prison, while Samuel Grajeda Jr., 21, received 30 months plus six additional months for violating supervised release terms related to a previous alien transporting conviction. Both men will also serve three years of supervised release.
They were convicted of conspiracy to transport undocumented immigrants after an investigation led by ICE, U.S. Border Patrol’s Laredo Sector, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The Smuggling Operation
The investigation began in April 2024 when a group of suspected illegal immigrants entered a green Tahoe near Laredo. Regalado, driving the vehicle, led authorities on a high-speed chase reaching speeds of 100 mph. Multiple passengers jumped from the vehicle during the pursuit.
In a dramatic escape attempt, Regalado crashed the Tahoe into the Rio Grande and swam back to Mexico. Months later, authorities tracked similar activity involving a white Ford Taurus and a black Mercedes driven by Grajeda and Regalado.
A traffic stop led to another chase and a collision with a bystander’s vehicle. The Ford Taurus was later found abandoned, with illegal immigrants and both suspects apprehended nearby.
Law Enforcement Response
Craig Larrabee, ICE Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio Special Agent in Charge, emphasized the dangers posed by human smugglers and the gang’s reckless actions during the pursuits. He praised collaborative efforts among federal and state agencies to dismantle violent criminal networks and protect communities.
Source Attribution
Information sourced from:
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) statement (ice.gov)
- Local news coverage
**This article was written by [Marcel Galligan]. AI was used lightly for grammar and formatting, but the ideas, words, and edits are all mine.**
