Trucker was “just supposed to give a guy a ride” upon agents’ discovery of 96 illegal immigrants

96 illegal immigrants were discovered in the back of a semi truck attempting to pass through Laredo late last week. 

The discovery occurred on Friday, January 15th at the US Border Patrol Checkpoint on Interstate 35 near Laredo, Texas. 

According to LMT Online, truck driver Franklin Johnson Jr. was passing through the border checkpoint when he was asked about his cargo and destination. Johnson claimed he was heading to San Antonio with an empty trailer, but agents chose to conduct a further inspection. 

Johnson apparently gave consent for agents to search the trailer, who promptly discovered 95 people in the back of the trailer, along with one person inside of the cab. 

Border Patrol soon determined that all 96 people had crossed the border illegally. 

Upon being detained, Johnson invoked his right to an attorney, but agents report that shortly thereafter, he “spontaneously uttered” that he was “just supposed to give a guy a ride to San Antonio.”

The incident is still under investigation.