Man Reportedly Caught Trying To Smuggle 84 Migrants
(ConservativeHub.com) – Customs and border patrol (CBP) agents logged over 2.7 million encounters with illegal immigrants at the southern border in fiscal year 2022. But the reported number doesn’t account for smuggling and human trafficking operations bringing people into the country. A recent bust revealed 84 illegal migrants stuffed in the back of a dump truck, placing one driver in serious criminal trouble.
Officials arrested Robert Flores Jr. on October 25 after discovering illegal immigrants in his truck as he attempted to bring them across the southern border into Texas. The migrants were all from Mexico and Guatemala, and CBP took custody of them.
HAPPENING NOW: @TxDPS disrupted a human smuggling attempt on IH 35 in Cotulla. The driver attempted to smuggle 60+ illegal immigrants concealed inside a dump truck. Driver arrested & illegal immigrants turned over to #USBP – more details to come. #OperationLoneStar pic.twitter.com/7AbYwP2AFg
— Chris Olivarez (@LtChrisOlivarez) October 25, 2022
Authorities came across the situation during a commercial vehicle inspection in Cotulla, La Salle County. Investigators discovered the man had purposely avoided border patrol agents in Webb County by driving on a private road. The 38-year-old truck driver is facing 84 counts of human smuggling.
According to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, smuggling people across the border is a billion-dollar industry. The agency warns the people involved in this business only care about money and don’t ensure safe passage, making it incredibly dangerous. Many immigrants never make it to the US and die during transport. Over the summer, over 60 migrants were discovered inside a hot tractor trailer, and 53 of the people died as a result of the operation. In this case, the individuals survived, although immigration officials may send them back home.
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