Laredo man faces human smuggling charges after DPS traffic stop on I-35

Summary by Laredo News Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Alex Cano, KGNS (NBC/ABC affiliate) — Local News · July 21, 2026 · 1 min read

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A Laredo man is facing four counts of human smuggling after Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers stopped a vehicle on Interstate 35 and found four undocumented migrants inside. 31-year-old Raul DeLuna was arrested Friday morning, July 17, near a service road on I...

Why this matters in Laredo News

The arrest of Raul DeLuna on human smuggling charges brings attention to the ongoing issue of undocumented migration through Laredo. The fact that the migrants paid substantial fees, ranging from $7,000 to $12,000, to be smuggled into the country and transported to various cities suggests a sophisticated and lucrative operation. The involvement of stash houses and transportation networks indicates that human smuggling remains a significant concern for local law enforcement. As a major transportation corridor, Interstate 35 is a key route for both legitimate and illicit activities, making it a focal point for efforts to combat human smuggling. The Texas Department of Public Safety's traffic stop and subsequent arrest demonstrate the importance of proactive enforcement in disrupting these operations and protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation. The case against DeLuna will be closely watched, as it may reveal more about the scope and organization of human smuggling in the Laredo area.

About this story

Original reporting by KGNS (NBC/ABC affiliate) — Local News. Laredo News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit KGNS (NBC/ABC affiliate) — Local News. Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: safety · Published: July 21, 2026 · Source: KGNS (NBC/ABC affiliate) — Local News · Reading time: 1 min

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This article was first published on July 21, 2026 by KGNS (NBC/ABC affiliate) — Local News and curated for Laredo News readers.

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Summary created by	Laredo News Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed
Original reporting	Alex Cano, KGNS (NBC/ABC affiliate) — Local News
Original story	Read at the source
Source published	Jul 21, 2026
Indexed here	Jul 21, 2026
AI assistance	Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text
Prepublication human review	No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples

Laredo man faces human smuggling charges after DPS traffic stop on I-35

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