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85 illegal aliens discovered in 4 tractor trailers, one local
Written by Lauren K. Ohnesorge
Monday, February 25 2008


Four men face alien smuggling charges after 85 illegal aliens were discovered inside four tractor trailers. One of the trucks was local.

The arrests were made jointly by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Border Patrol.


ICE officials say the four stops occurred within a five-hour time span in Laredo, Texas. On-site canines assisted officers in discovering the illegal aliens.


Little specific information has been released by ICE, but a photograph released shows one of the tractor-trailers involved says Pittman Trucking, Newland on its side.



Rick Pittman of Pittman Trucking says he was contacted by ICE officials soon after the arrests were made two weeks ago. According to Pittman, his driver was approached at a truck stop and was told he could make extra money if he would leave the truck and come back. Once the truck was filled with illegal aliens, he was instructed to drive them to San Antonio. Pittman says the driver was promised $300 per alien smuggled. It’s something Pittman takes very seriously and, although the driver in question had been an employee for 10 years, Pittman says he will never again work for Pittman Trucking.



ICE officials told Pittman they thought it was the driver’s first offense and that he had “learned his lesson.â€