Border Patrol Foils Another Human Smuggling Attempt in a Box Truck




Release Date: January 19, 2021



LAREDO, TEXAS – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the U.S. Highway 83 checkpoint stopped a human smuggling attempt involving a U-Haul box truck northwest of Laredo.

The incident occurred during the late afternoon of January 18, when a white U-Haul box truck approached the checkpoint. A Service canine alerted to the vehicle during an immigration inspection of the driver. The vehicle was referred to secondary inspection where a search inside the rear cargo area revealed six illegal aliens hiding among furniture and mattresses.

None of the individuals were wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). They were all medically screened and provided PPE.

They were determined to be in the United States illegally from the country ofGuatemala.

They were placed under arrest along with the driver, a U.S. citizen, pending further investigation.






Human smugglers continue to have no regard for the safety and health of the people they exploit for profit. With a noted increase in COVID-19 infections among detainees, the transporting of large groups of people without PPE in close dangerous quarters endangers the individuals and safety of our Nation.

The Laredo Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol focuses on its enduring mission priorities of countering terrorism, combatting transnational crime, securing the border, facilitating lawful trade, protecting revenue, and facilitating lawful travel.



https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-m...empt-box-truck