Alleged smugglers charged
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
02/20/2008

Four truck drivers accused of attempting to illegally transport more than 80 illegal immigrants on Feb. 14 appeared before a federal magistrate Tuesday to be formally charged.Authorities said the illegal immigrants were found hidden inside four tractor-trailers last Thursday.

According to official reports, authorities with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement division, along with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Laredo Sector, arrested 85 immigration violators who were hiding inside several tractor trailers attempting to cross the checkpoint at various hours.

According to ICE and CBP, this criminal activity occurred within a three-hour span on Feb. 14.

During routine inspection by CBP, agents noticed suspicious activity coming from inside the trailers. Upon closer inspection, authorities found dozens of illegal immigrants hiding in the trucks. The immigrants were of Mexican, El Salvadoran or Guatemalan descent.

All of the people hiding inside the trailers appeared to be in good health and declined medical attention, officials said
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