LAREDO, Texas - Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents rescued 17 undocumented immigrants from a box truck at a checkpoint on I-35 Friday.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a press release that the driver was questioned about his immigration status and was referred for further inspection after a canine alerted at the scene.
Border Patrol agents then discovered 17 undocumented immigrants from Mexico and Brazil, and they were reportedly found in good health. More information on their identities was not immediately available.
The U.S. citizen driving the truck 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,” Laredo Sector Assistant Chief Patrol Agent Gabriel Acosta said in the release.
To report suspicious activity such as smuggling, contact the Laredo Sector Border Patrol toll-free telephone number at 1-800-343-1994.
