A truck driver arrested for smuggling migrants told agents he had no choice because he owed a man drug money.
The driver was arrested on August 6th at the Freer, Texas border checkpoint after 10 p.m.
According to Laredo Morning Times, a K9 unit alerted to the possible presence of contraband inside of a tractor trailer driven by Mateo Guerra Jr. Guerra was then referred to a secondary inspection and agents ended up cutting the seal to his trailer.
Agents discovered 35 migrants concealed inside of the trailer, which was 97.7 degrees at the time of the discovery.
“Several subjects were sweating profusely and had removed clothing in an attempt to cool down and some subjects were exhibiting signs of dehydration, such as vomiting, lightheaded and fatigue,” states the affidavit. Agents then discovered a collection of the migrants’ cell phones in a hidden compartment inside of the truck cab, and called Homeland Security Investigations task force officers to investigate further.
Guerra provided agents with contradictory statements regarding the migrants. Initially, he stated that his uncle had offered him $450 to drop off the tractor trailer. Later, Guerra admitted that he had been drinking with friends when one of them asked him to drop off the trailer, insinuating that there may be something wrong with the cargo.
Although he says he was unaware of what cargo was inside of the trailer, “Guerra advised that a subject ‘Guero’ obligated him because of money he owed for drugs,” the affidavit states.
No further information has been released.
