A minor and a gang member were among the 25 illegal immigrants discovered in the back of a semi truck in South Texas recently.
The illegal aliens were discovered on July 25th at the Falfurrias Border Patrol Checkpoint in Falfurrias, Texas.
According to US Customs and Border Protection, a K-9 alerted agents to the possible presence of drugs or human cargo inside a tractor trailer passing through the checkpoint, prompting agents to put the semi truck through secondary clearance.
Agents then inspected the big rig further and found 25 illegal immigrants hiding under tarps in the trailer.
Upon further investigation, agents discovered that the smuggled individuals came to the US from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, and that one of the men from El Salvador was a member of the “hyperviolent transnational criminal gang known as MS-13.” Another immigrant was determined to be an unaccompanied minor.
The 55-year-old unnamed truck driver was taken into custody and his semi truck was seized. His identity and nationality has not been released but he is facing possible charges of human smuggling.
The immigrants could potentially face persecution for immigration violations before being deported back to their home countries.