Border Agents Discover Illegal Immigrants Locked Inside Horse Trailer

Posted: March 24, 2008 02:49 PM PDT


Suleika Acosta, KOLD News 13 Reporter

A smuggling operation busted, where illegal immigrants were caught and maybe even rescued near Douglas.

A call to the Border Patrol tip line came from a caller saying a truck pulling a horse trailer had picked up a group of illegal immigrants.

When agents tracked down the truck, they discovered three illegal immigrants inside. The driver was a permanent resident turned smuggler. But when agents checked the trailer they found more than horses. Inside a small compartment agents found two men and three children locked inside.

"They were basically on top of each other. It's such a small cramped area and driving on the road with bumps is not only uncomfortable but extremely dangerous," says Border Patrol Agent Mike Scioli.

Also in the truck were two loaded handguns. Scioli says this trailer incident is the latest example of just how far smugglers are going.

"How much can I make off this person and how many can I get crammed in a certain area, disregard for any kind of health or safety for these people."

Overall, Tucson sector has seen a decrease in illegal immigrant apprehensions but agents are seeing a rise in riskier behavior from both immigrants and smugglers.

"There's a lot more unique situations such as this where they're hiding them in different places to allude us," adds Scioli.

All eight immigrants were voluntarily returned to Mexico. As for the smuggler, he could face prison time.

http://www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S=8062232