In a recent development, authorities have dismantled what they suspect to be a human smuggling operation, uncovering over a dozen individuals within a residence in Texas. The discovery was made during an operation spearheaded by the Texas Department of Public Safety in conjunction with Laredo Border Patrol.

The operation took place on December 17th, inside a house located in Laredo, Texas. Upon investigation, officials found 17 individuals who were allegedly residing in the United States without legal permission.

Among those in the residence, one person identified as a “suspected caretaker” was apprehended. This individual now faces charges related to human smuggling, authorities confirmed.

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in combating human smuggling operations along the border. The arrest and subsequent charges underscore the relentless efforts of local and national agencies to address illegal immigration issues in the region.

Authorities arrested one individual after uncovering an alleged human smuggling operation in which 17 illegal immigrants were found inside a home in Laredo, Texas, on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2025. (Laredo Border Patrol)

In a photo shared on Laredo Border Patrol’s social media account, 10 individuals — most with their faces obstructed — can be seen sitting on the kitchen floor inside the home. 

Authorities did not provide details regarding the identities of the 17 illegal aliens or the alleged caretaker. 

In a social media post, Laredo Border Patrol celebrated the arrest, writing, “Operation Success!”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents arrested two American citizens on federal human smuggling charges after discovering four illegal immigrants inside a home in Laredo, Texas on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (U.S. Customs and Border Patrol)

The sting comes just days after agents uncovered yet another alleged human smuggling operation in the same town. 

According to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, two American citizens were arrested for allegedly smuggling four illegal aliens into their Laredo home on Dec. 8. 

Two Guatemalan nationals, one Mexican national and a Honduran national were discovered inside the residence by authorities and subsequently taken into custody pending deportation, CPB said in a social media post. 

Migrants wait in line adjacent to the border fence, under the watch of the Texas National Guard, to enter into El Paso, Texas, May 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton, File)

Authorities arrested the two unnamed American citizens, who are now facing federal alien smuggling charges. 

“Illegaly entry leads to deportation,” CPB said in a social media post. “Don’t risk it.”

According to data released by CPB, Laredo accounted for 4,400 land border encounters in the 2025 fiscal year, with the entire southwest region of Texas seeing 103,124 encounters within the same time frame. 

The Texas Department of Public Safety did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.