United States - January 21, 2025 A routine traffic stop on IH-35 led to the arrest of Mauro Ulises Portillo Torres from Arlington, Texas, on January 21, 2025. Torres, who claimed to have worked for a construction company for the last four years, couldn’t name the company when questioned. During the stop, troopers discovered that Torres was smuggling five illegal immigrants, all wearing construction vests in an attempt to blend in with workers. Torres admitted he was being paid $2,000 to transport the group to San Antonio. He was arrested and charged with smuggling of persons and unlawful carry of a firearm. The group of Mexican nationals was referred to Border Patrol for processing.