Border Patrol discovers 33 immigrants locked inside tractor-trailer

Updated 8:27 pm, Sunday, July 16, 2017

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On July 8, Laredo North Border Patrol agents assigned to the Border Patrol checkpoint on Interstate 35 encountered a tractor-trailer at the primary inspection lane.

The driver was questioned regarding his immigration status and was referred to secondary for further inspection. A closer inspection of the tractor-trailer resulted in the rescue of 33 immigrants inside the locked trailer. Each was determined to be from the countries of Mexico and Guatemala. The driver, a U.S. citizen, was arrested.

"These criminal organizations view these individuals as mere commodities without regard for their safety. The blatant disregard for human life will not be tolerated. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle these organizations and prosecute those responsible," said Laredo Sector Assistant Chief Patrol Agent Gabriel Acosta.

The Laredo Sector Border Patrol will continue to warn against the dangers of people crossing illegally into the United States through dangerous environmental conditions. Its Border Safety Initiative is a humanitarian, bi-national strategy designed to reduce immigrants deaths, educate and inform potential immigrants of the dangers and hazards of crossing the border illegally, and to respond to those who are in life-threatening situations.

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