This week, U.S. Border Patrol agents stopped a large scale human smuggling attempt in El Paso, Texas after receiving a tip.
The incident began late in the evening on Sunday, February 6, when Ysleta Border Patrol Agents assigned to the AntiSmuggling (ASU) unit received a tip regarding suspected smuggling activity taking place at a vacant building located near Pellicano Drive, according to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.
Ysleta agents received additional information from the Santa Teresa Anti-Smuggling (ASU) unit regarding another location in far east El Paso that was being utilized as part of the smuggling scheme.
During the investigation, agents identified a semi truck believed to be involved in a human smuggling incident in the early hours of Monday morning.
Agents conducted a vehicle stop on the truck, which led to the discovery of 132 individuals crammed in the trailer.
The group in the trailer consisted of two unaccompanied children and 130 adults from Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Ecuador. Some of these people were expelled to Mexico while others were transported to the Centralized Processing Center.
The truck driver and passenger are facing a charge of Conspiracy to Transport.
The incident remains under investigation.
“Human smugglers continue to have no regard for the health and safety of the people they exploit for profit.” said El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez. “These dangerous smuggling tactics endanger migrant lives and exposed the ruthless and careless methods Transnational Criminal Organizations use to carry out their illicit activities.” “I am extremely grateful and proud of the Santa Teresa and Ysleta Anti-Smuggling Units working together which led Ysleta Station agents to safely rescue 132 migrants.”