Deputies search for over 100 immigrants who fled truck in human smuggling attempt

Police are still searching for more than 100 immigrants who ran into the woods after being transported in a refrigerated semi-truck.

The incident happened around 6 p.m. February 18 at the QuickTrip gas station near IH-37 and Loop 1604 in south Bexar County, Texas.

According to Sheriff Javier Salazar, deputies were alerted about a large truckload of undocumented immigrants when they received a 9-1-1 call from one of the stowaways.

The caller was having trouble breathing and said they were running out of air in the back of the trailer. The modified truck had been sealed off with foam to create an “airtight enclosure” that would make it harder for authorities to detect illegal smuggling. Due to these modifications, those riding in the truck were in danger of suffocating.

Deputies began patrolling the area and spotted a large group of people jumping out of the back of a refrigerated truck and fleeing into the surrounding woods.

Deputies have detained approximately 50 of the 200 immigrants so far. Officials believe that the smuggling suspects may be intermixed with the undocumented immigrants in the group. Authorities detained illegal immigrants in the gas station, and the office is working to determine who the suspects are at this time.

Salazar said there was concern for those who fled into the woods, due to the freezing temperatures and extreme weather conditions.

“Our concern is that people are going to be very much exposed…quite frankly we’re worried that some of these people might be in distress soon”

The authorities continue to search for all of those involved.

Anyone with more information is urged to call BCSO at 210-335-6000.