Man Arrested on Human Smuggling Charges After Pursuit in El Cenizo

Authorities say the suspect fled police and had five migrants in his vehicle.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:34pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a set of handcuffs against a stark, black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the arrest of a human smuggling suspect.The arrest of a human smuggling suspect exposes the risks and dangers of these criminal operations along the Texas border.Laredo Today

A 24-year-old man was arrested on human smuggling charges after leading Texas state troopers on a pursuit through the city of El Cenizo. Julio Cesar Chavez-Camacho allegedly failed to stop for a traffic violation, sparking a chase that ended when troopers performed a PIT maneuver to disable his vehicle. Chavez-Camacho and five passengers who were determined to be in the country illegally then fled on foot before being apprehended.

Why it matters

Human smuggling and illegal border crossings remain a major issue along the Texas-Mexico border, with law enforcement frequently encountering such cases. This incident highlights the dangers and risks involved when smugglers attempt to evade authorities, putting both officers and migrants in harm's way.

The details

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, a DPS trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop on U.S. 83 South around 8 a.m. on March 27 after observing a violation. However, the driver, later identified as Chavez-Camacho, failed to stop and a pursuit ensued through the streets of El Cenizo. Troopers were eventually able to perform a PIT maneuver to disable the vehicle, at which point Chavez-Camacho and the five passengers fled on foot before being apprehended on Rodriguez Street.

  • The incident occurred on March 27, 2026 around 8 a.m.
  • Chavez-Camacho was booked into Webb County Jail on March 27 and released on March 30 after posting $46,000 in personal recognizance bonds.

The players

Julio Cesar Chavez-Camacho

A 24-year-old man arrested and charged with human smuggling, evading arrest, and reckless driving after leading police on a pursuit in El Cenizo, Texas.

Texas Department of Public Safety

The state law enforcement agency that pursued and apprehended Chavez-Camacho on charges related to human smuggling.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Chavez-Camacho is scheduled to appear in court on April 15 for a hearing on the charges.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in combating human smuggling operations along the southern border, and the risks involved when smugglers attempt to evade authorities.