40 migrants found inside metal box in smuggling attempt

Texas Border Patrol agents from the Rio Grande Valley sector on Monday found 40 undocumented migrants inside a metal box being hauled by a trailer in a smuggling attempt.

Border Patrol agents discovered the migrants at the Falfurrias Border Patrol Checkpoint on April 26, after a K-9 alert referred a truck pulling a flatbed trailer carrying large metal boxes to a secondary inspection.

One of the metal boxes, which were 16 inches by 6 inches, had a vent that looked suspicious. When the authorities removed the vent, they found 40 migrants trapped inside in seated position.

Falfurrias checkpoint agents rescued 40 migrants trapped in a metal box on a trailer with no means of escape.

Agents also encountered two large groups in Starr Co, more than half of the 271 noncitizens were single adults. https://t.co/qWvvPKfzZW pic.twitter.com/qmbrNpzHpo

— Chief Patrol Agent Brian Hastings (@USBPChiefRGV) April 28, 2022

To get the migrants out of the box, which had no other openings other than the vent, agents had to break it down by unscrewing bolts with a power tool found in the truck.

Upon further inspection of the truck, authorities found a power tool, a handgun, and loaded magazines. The Brooks County Sheriff’s Office took custody of the vehicle and objects found inside.

Most of the migrants found inside the box were from Central America and Mexico. The driver was a U.S. citizen. They were all taken into custody.