Human smugglers continue use of tractor-trailers to transport migrants

21 Mexican immigrants discovered in tractor-trailer

SALTON CITY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - Human smugglers are increasingly using tractor trailers as a means of smuggling immigrants into the United States illegally.

This disturbing smuggling trend has U.S. Border Patrol agents on high alert, as there has been a significant increase in these cases over the past few months.

El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents at the Highway 86 immigration have now seen their fifth such case this year.

On Wednesday morning Agents arrested a man suspected of smuggling 21 individuals.

It happened when a man driving a tractor-trailer approached the checkpoint. A Border Patrol canine detection team alerted Agents to the cargo area, so the truck was sent to secondary.

There, agents discovered 21 individuals locked inside with no safety restraints and no way to get out if need be. Agents say they safely removed all of the immigrants from the trailer and conducted welfare checks.

The 50-year-old truck driver showed agents his Legal Permanent Resident card, but it was later determined to be a forgery.

Agents say they placed the driver, all 21 immigrants, which included 16 adult men, 4 adult women and 1 unaccompanied juvenile boy, under arrest.

The driver is currently held in federal custody pending criminal charges. Agents say the 21 individuals were transported back to Mexico under Title 42.