Border Patrol Agent Draws Gun on Alleged Smuggler

Two suspects charged with conspiracy to transport illegal aliens in Texas

Jan. 27, 2026 at 6:39pm

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An El Paso federal grand jury has charged two alleged smugglers with ties to a cartel operating near Juarez, Mexico, with conspiracy to transport illegal aliens. The charges stem from a December 29th incident on Interstate 10 west of Sierra Blanca, Texas, in which a U.S. Border Patrol agent stopped a vehicle and drew his weapon when the driver attempted to leave the car.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Border Patrol agents in combating human smuggling operations along the U.S.-Mexico border. The alleged involvement of a Mexican cartel also raises concerns about the reach and influence of organized crime groups in border regions.

The details

Court records show the agent pulled up to the Ford Flex crossover SUV and saw two men in the front seat and several others lying in the cargo area. When the agent ordered the driver to stop and approached the vehicle to conduct an immigration inspection, the driver opened the door and attempted to exit. The agent then drew his duty weapon, regained control of the situation, and ordered the driver to place his hands on the vehicle. Seven additional individuals were found inside the Flex, all of them foreign nationals without permission to be in the country.

  • The incident occurred on December 29, 2025 on Interstate 10 west of Sierra Blanca, Texas.
  • An El Paso federal grand jury charged the two suspects in January 2026.

The players

Alexis Antillon Rey

The driver of the Ford Flex, a Mexican national who allegedly told border agents he was a 'pickup driver' for a smuggling organization based in Porvenir, Mexico.

Manuel Leonardo Caiza Deleg

The front-seat passenger of the Ford Flex, an Ecuadorian citizen who was previously deported from the U.S. in 2009 and allegedly told investigators he wanted to travel to Connecticut.

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What they’re saying

“Caiza said the cartel confiscated his cellphone, gave him another one and instructed him to send periodic GPS 'pins' to a member of smuggling organization.”

— Manuel Leonardo Caiza Deleg

What’s next

The judge will determine whether to allow Alexis Antillon Rey and Manuel Leonardo Caiza Deleg to be released on bail as the case proceeds.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing efforts by U.S. Border Patrol to disrupt human smuggling operations along the southern border, often involving coordination with criminal cartels. The willingness of suspects to resist arrest and the potential involvement of transnational organized crime groups highlight the complex challenges faced by law enforcement in these cases.