Arizona Border Patrol agents find undocumented migrants inside cattle trailer

U.S. Border Patrol Agents stationed in Arizona found nine undocumented immigrants hiding inside a hidden compartment within a cattle trailer near the U.S.-Mexico border last week.

Agents found the migrants after they performed a routine traffic stop on a Freightliner semi-truck pulling a cattle trailer near Nogales, Arizona at around 1 a.m., according to a press release by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The Tucson Sector agents received permission to inspect the trailer, where they found the nine undocumented migrants hiding in a tight space beneath a false floor.

“The migrants had no means of escape,” said the press release.

The driver and the passenger of the truck were arrested. The driver of the truck is a U.S. citizen, who is facing smuggling charges.

Police also arrested the driver and a passenger of a Ford pickup truck that was also encountered on the scene. CBP officials believe both vehicles were traveling together along Route 82 near Nogales.

The migrants were taken into custody and are being processed.

The incident comes as Border Patrol agents encountered a similar smuggling attempt along the same stretch of Route 82 on September 25. Authorities found 33 undocumented migrants being transported inside a horse trailer. According to the CBP, the migrants were standing “shoulder to shoulder” inside the trailer.

The driver of the truck and horse trailer is facing charges of human smuggling and possession of firearms.

“U.S. Border Patrol agents and their law enforcement partners are dedicated to the safety and security of all whom they encounter. They regularly rescue migrants from extremely dangerous transportation situations, such as being hauled insecurely in trunks and trailers, and callous smugglers who show no regard for their wellbeing,” said the CBP.