U.S. Border Patrol agents prevented two human smuggling attempts, on May 23, 2020, via box trucks at two different Border Patrol checkpoints in the Laredo, Texas.
The first incident occurred during the early morning hours when a box truck approached the checkpoint on Interstate Highway 35.
During an immigration inspection of the driver, a service canine alerted to the vehicle. Agents discovered 13 individuals hidden inside who were all illegally present in the United States from the country of Mexico. The individuals and the driver, a U.S. Citizen, were taken into custody pending investigation.
The second incident occurred several minutes later, when agents encountered a box truck at the checkpoint west of Freer, Texas. During an immigration inspection, a police dog alerted to the cargo area of the vehicle.
Agents found an access panel that led to the discovery of an aftermarket compartment where 10 individuals were hiding. All 10 people were in the country illegally and they were from Mexico. The individuals and the driver, a U.S. Citizen, were taken into custody pending investigation.
