Police Arrest Woman for Alleged Smuggling in El Paso
A woman was taken into custody after allegedly attempting to smuggle two minors through a port of entry.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Crime — General
Authorities arrested Hilary Freyre at the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry after she allegedly attempted to bring two undocumented minors into the United States using fraudulent documents. Freyre reportedly admitted during secondary inspection that the minors were not her children after officers noted facial discrepancies.
Why it matters
This incident is part of a larger surge in immigration-related legal action within the region. Federal prosecutors in the Western District of Texas have recently increased the volume of criminal filings regarding border-related offenses.
Federal prosecutors filed 255 immigration-related criminal cases in the Western District of Texas between Oct. 16 and Oct. 22. Multiple arrests were made, including individuals apprehended at the BNSF railyard and near the Fort Hancock Port of Entry.
The players
Hilary Freyre
She is the suspect arrested for allegedly attempting to transport two undocumented minors into the country.
Oscar David Hernandez-Gonzalez
He was arrested at a local railyard and has been removed from the United States seven times previously.
Raul Azahel Zubia-Alvidrez
He was apprehended near the Fort Hancock Port of Entry following a history of prior felony convictions.
Customs and Border Protection
This federal law enforcement agency is responsible for securing the ports of entry and the broader border area.
The details
Freyre presented a Texas identification card and two birth certificates to a Customs and Border Protection officer before being referred to secondary inspection. During the stop, she was found in possession of $1,123 in U.S. currency and $5,400 in Mexican pesos.
Timeline
October 16-22, 2026: 255 immigration criminal cases were filed in the district.
July 2025: Raul Azahel Zubia-Alvidrez was previously deported.
2015: Oscar David Hernandez-Gonzalez was last removed from the U.S.
2012: The earliest felony conviction occurred for Zubia-Alvidrez.
Legal Context
The recent wave of arrests aligns with the high volume of litigation seen in the Western District of Texas immigration enforcement docket. These filings represent a continuation of federal efforts to process immigration-related crimes across the regional judicial system.
Increased activity at ports of entry can lead to longer wait times and heightened security screening for travelers in the area. Residents may notice a larger presence of law enforcement personnel near major transit hubs and border facilities.
The takeaway
Border-related criminal cases remain a significant component of the judicial workload in this region. Travelers are encouraged to keep valid documentation accessible to ensure smoother processing through ports of entry.
Further reading
For more information on regional law enforcement activity, visit the Crime — General section.
