Border Patrol agents at the checkpoint on north Highway 83 in the Laredo Sector recently discovered 76 individuals entering the United States without legal permission in a tractor-trailer driven by a U.S. citizen.
When the driver arrived at the checkpoint, agents questioned him regarding his immigration status and referred him to secondary inspection. During the inspection, agents discovered 76 individuals from the countries of Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala.
The 76 persons were found in good health. The driver was arrested, and Border Patrol seized the tractor-trailer.
“These criminal organizations view these individuals as mere commodities without regard for their safety,” Laredo Sector Assistant Chief Patrol Agent Gabriel Acosta said. “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.”