United States Border Patrol agents found 52 immigrants inside a reefer trailer on Tuesday in Laredo, Texas.
According to a press release from the Border Patrol, the semi truck arrived at the Interstate 35 checkpoint on Tuesday night. A K-9 alerted officers to check the trailer; however, the truck exited the checkpoint before agents could perform a secondary inspection.
Agents caught up with the truck, just north of the checkpoint.
Upon further inspection of the truck, agents found 52 Mexican, Guatemalan and Ecuadorian immigrants huddled inside.
Agents said the temperature inside the trailer was 41 degrees.
The truck driver, who is a U.S. citizen, was arrested and agents seized the truck and trailer.
“Smugglers continue to put illegal (immigrants) at risk by packing them into tractor-trailers with no regard for their safety. This case involved 52 (immigrants) without personal protective equipment, no social distancing, and a complete disregard for any of the safety and health measures being practiced throughout the world. These reckless actions put the aliens, our agents, and our public health at risk,” Border Patrol said in a statement.