Border Patrol authorities in Sierra Blanca, Texas, discovered 74 migrants Monday, including two suspected smugglers, after inspecting a pair of trailers at an immigration checkpoint.
Law enforcement found several migrants concealed inside a “large travel trailer” after a K-9 alerted them to the contents of the vehicle, officials announced Thursday. Moments later, Border Patrol advised the Texas Department of Public Safety that another truck with similar cargo was in the area.
Police initiated a traffic stop, and more migrants were found. It was not specified how many people were discovered at each stop, as only the total was disclosed.
33 MIGRANTS FOUND CRAMMED INTO U-HAUL IN SWELTERING HEAT
The suspected smugglers, who were both U.S. citizens, were taken into custody by troopers, though one of the two, a juvenile, was released due to his age.
United States Border Patrol agents and @TXDPS encountered two vehicles pulling travel trailers attempting to smuggle 74 undocumented non-citizens. Two United States Citizens are being prosecuted for their role in the smuggling scheme. https://t.co/TK3V4pIxt8 pic.twitter.com/Nsb6AHAuWo
— Chief Patrol Agent Sean L. McGoffin (@USBPChiefBBT) July 15, 2021
“The coordination and collaboration between the agents and Texas Department of Public Safety resulted in multiple migrants being rescued from a very dangerous situation,” said Big Bend Sector Chief Patrol Agent Sean McGoffin in a statement. “Transnational criminal organizations recruit United States Citizens to facilitate their smuggling schemes. They continue to place lives in danger with little regard for their safety and well-being.”
The migrants were from Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Peru.
A similar incident was reported a day prior by Laredo, Texas, Sector Chief Patrol Agent Matthew Hudak. Migrants can be seen stuffed into a small area within a moving truck.
“Imagine being locked in a metal toolbox, on a hot Laredo day,” Hudak wrote in a tweet. “These images reveal how undocumented individuals are packed in compartments not meant to hold people and are tragic indications of the careless criminal organizations.”
Imagine being locked in a metal toolbox, on a hot Laredo day. These images reveal how undocumented individuals are packed in compartments not meant to hold people and are tragic indications of the careless criminal organizations.
#BorderSecurityAwarenessShare! Share! Share! pic.twitter.com/ifvbex5LXz
— Chief Patrol Agent Matthew J. Hudak (@USBPChiefLRT) July 14, 2021
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
President Joe Biden’s administration has faced bipartisan backlash for his handling of a crisis at the southern border since he assumed office Jan. 20. Record numbers of attempted illegal crossings have been reported by Border Patrol, and top officials in Biden’s cohort have struggled to accommodate an unprecedented surge of unaccompanied minors.
