by Anna Giaritelli | May 25, 2017, 6:26 PM

Border Patrol agents found 14 illegal immigrants hiding in the bed of a dump truck that had attempted to cross into El Centro, Calif., from Mexico early Thursday morning.

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection news release stated the truck pulled up at the Indio Station checkpoint on Highway 86 around 4:40 a.m. local time. As part of standard protocol, agents inspected the white 1997 Ford dump truck, where they found 13 men and one woman lying inside.

The 14 illegal immigrants were not secured with safety belts during the drive north. The bed was covered, preventing them from getting out on their own.

"This is an example of the blatant disregard for human life and safety to those being smuggled by these smuggling organizations," David Kim, assistant chief patrol agent, said in a statement. "This could have turned into a very bad situation if the vehicle would have gotten in an accident or left unattended for a long period of time."

The 36-year-old driver was taken into custody and will be prosecuted for immigrant smuggling. The 14 illegal immigrants are being processed at the El Centro Sector Station.

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/bo...rticle/2624202