Driver held on $220k bond for attempted smuggling

A truck driver is being held on $220,000 bond after attempting to smuggle 11 people into the country last week. 

The incident occurred on Wednesday, August 21st at about 10 a.m. on Interstate 35 in Webb County, Texas. 

According to Laredo Morning Times, the tractor trailer was stopped by a Texas DPS officer on I-35 near mile marker 13. During the stop, the officer noticed truck driver John Saiz displaying  “excessive signs of nervousness” and refused a search of the vehicle. 

The officer then called US Border Patrol, who brought a K9 to inspect the rig. The DPS officer then reportedly noticed several people attempting to hide in the sleeper berth of the truck cab. 

The people inside of the cab were detained and 51-year-old Saiz was arrested and charged with smuggling of persons. He is currently being held on $220,000 bond – $20,000 for each charge.