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Texas state troopers deployed to the southern border as part of GOP Gov. Greg Abbott’s security operation uncovered a dump truck packed with 60 people hidden inside, according to a state official.
Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman Lt. Chris Olivarez disclosed the human smuggling bust on Twitter Tuesday, adding that the construction vehicle had been driving the dozens of illegal immigrants north on Interstate-35 toward San Antonio from the border. The driver was arrested and the immigrants were turned over to federal authorities.
Texas investigators have not disclosed if the vehicle came across the border through a port of entry or if it loaded up people who had illegally crossed the border without getting caught. Mexican cartels use “stash houses” to hold people they have smuggled across as they organize transportation to get each person deeper within the United States.
NEARLY 100 FBI TERROR WATCHLIST SUSPECTS NABBED AT SOUTHERN BORDER
HAPPENING NOW: @TxDPS disrupted a human smuggling attempt on IH 35 in Cotulla. The driver attempted to smuggle 60+ illegal immigrants concealed inside a dump truck. Driver arrested & illegal immigrants turned over to #USBP – more details to come. #OperationLoneStar pic.twitter.com/7AbYwP2AFg
— Chris Olivarez (@LtChrisOlivarez) October 25, 2022
The truck was intercepted in Cotulla, Texas, where the U.S. Border Patrol has a permanent highway checkpoint. It was not immediately clear if the truck had passed through the checkpoint or if the bust happened south of the checkpoint.
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In June, a tractor-trailer carrying dozens of illegal immigrants from Mexico and Central America successfully made it through the checkpoint and later parked in San Antonio. That evening, police discovered more than 50 people dead inside, having died from suffocation and heat exhaustion.
San Antonio is the closest major Texas city to the border, making it a top destination for migrants to get to upon getting over the border.
