NOTE: This article has been updated with screenshots of portions of Cartel TikTok videos which do NOT contain user names that facilitate contacts with the cartels.Mexican Cartels are recruiting Texans as human smugglers on TikTok. This latest wrinkle in the deteriorating border security situation along the Rio Grande was documented in a news article by Canadian news outlet The Post Millennial.Though that outlet has tweeted several TikTok videos openly recruiting Texans to smuggle migrants through Border Patrol checkpoints I am not posting or linking to them here because the TikTok accounts advocating this illegal activity are still active and the promotion or facilitation of human trafficking violates Newsbreak's Terms of Service. I did, however, find a screenshot of a TikTok video (that did not display a username) broadcast in a Fox News report recruiting 2-3 drivers to pick up 10 migrants in "Sullivan" (which I believe to be Sullivan City in the Rio Grande Valley) and drive them through a border patrol checkpoint.
Screenshot of TikTok video recruiting drivers willing to go through a Texas Border Patrol checkpoint. "Sullivan" is likely Sullivan City, TXPhoto byTikTok via Fox News
Through multiple videos and via multiple accounts, these cartel recruiters flash massive piles of cash in large denominations, show carloads of presumed migrants being driven through Texas, and recruit drivers from specific Texas locations:“I need drivers based in Texas. Only serious inquiries. Good pay: $10-20K USD in 3 hours. Houston, TX, Dallas, TX, San Marcos, San Antonio, Austin, TX, Waco, TX, Temple, TX. Follow me and DM me if you are interested or have a car or truck. We will pay more if you have a trailer.” -Cartel recruitment video on TikTok
Screengrab of cartel TikTok video recruiting drivers to smuggle six migrants in Falfurrias, Texas, home to a Border Patrol checkpoint.Photo byTikTox via Fox News
The reasons why these offers are a very bad deal should be obvious. But - if someone needs examples of why NOT to consider these schemes- look no further than the Facebook Page of the Sheriff's office of one small Texas border county. The Kinney County Sheriff posts picture after picture of Texans arrested in his county for human smuggling. If that is not enough to convince someone, maybe these DPS dashcam videos of human smuggling attempts ending badly will:
And - just to reinforce the consequences of participating in these illegal smuggling attempts - here is another DPS dashcam video (and remember these are from just one small Texas County):
A final word of warning: a human trafficking arrest will likely result in the confiscation and sale of your vehicle and federal prison time. Engaging in a high-speed pursuit by authorities could result in your death.
The Kinney County Sheriff's Office - according to the report in the Post Millennial- is well aware of the TikTok videos cited by The Post Millennial. At least one of those videos has also been flagged with a warning by TikTok that “participating in this activity could result in you or others getting hurt.”
Though those TikToc creators' accounts are still active as I write this - answering them carries the very real possibility of being targeted by law enforcement. I do not know how to be more explicit in spelling out the risks to anyone who might be persuaded to participate in one of these schemes. -Just don't!
What should be done about the cartels recruiting human smugglers in Texas via TikTok? Share your opinions in the comments to this article.
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Other stories byJack Beaversabout Texas Border issues include:
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