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Two women were arrested in an attempt to smuggle two Mexican national children across the Pharr International Bridge on Wednesday.

A 23-year-old from Alamo, trying to cross-over in a Dodge minivan, presented U.S. Customs and Border Patrol  (CBP) with her passport and three U.S. birth certificates for the three children in the backseat of the car.

Her vehicle was sent for a secondary inspection when CBP agents discovered that the 5-month-old and the 7-year-old boy were not U.S. citizens.

The third child’s mother, a 27-year-old from Mission, was contacted and further investigation led to the discovery of her being involved with the alleged smuggling attempt.

The two Mexican national children’s biological parents arrived at the port of entry to pick-up their children and return back to Mexico.

“Human smuggling is very predominant her in the Rio Grande Valley,” said Port Director Efrain Solis Jr. “Our officers’ keen sense for detecting these illicit activities allows us to keep children safe while upholding the nation’s immigration laws.”