On August 14, agents became suspicious of the driver and passenger of a U-Haul truck during an immigration inspection. When agents requested to inspect the truck’s cargo area, the driver agreed but claimed not to have a key for the padlock.
Once in secondary inspection, Border Patrol agents used detection technology to discover seven individuals locked in the cargo area without fresh air or means of escape. The key was later found in the cabin of the vehicle.
Agents processed all subjects for prosecution and/or removal proceedings in accordance with Tucson Sector guidelines.
According to the Border Patrol, while no one was injured in this incident, an undocumented migrant lost his life last summer in a similar smuggling attempt. Transporting people inside the cargo area of a vehicle is extremely dangerous due to heat, the possibility of a vehicle accident, or other unforeseen circumstances.