Authorities in Texas have arrested a man who was transporting 16 illegal immigrants hidden behind a false wall inside a cargo trailer. The migrants were discovered during a traffic stop, and video footage from body cameras captured the moment the false wall was dismantled, revealing the group of people cramped inside.
In a shocking incident, a man driving a Ford F-250 towing a cargo trailer was pulled over by troopers on State Route 77 in Kenedy County, Texas. When questioned, the driver, identified as Anthony Jhonson of Houston, initially claimed he was driving the vehicle for a friend. After consenting to a search, troopers discovered a concealed compartment behind a false wall in the trailer.
Sixteen Illegal Immigrants Found Hidden Behind False Wall in Texas
Video footage obtained from body cameras shows Johnson informing a trooper that he was transporting a limousine in the trailer. However, as the troopers used a power tool to dismantle the false wall, a chilling discovery was made.
"There's people in there bro," a voice can be heard exclaiming in the video.
Sixteen Illegal Immigrants Found Hidden Behind False Wall in Texas
The footage captures the troopers' astonishment as the false wall is torn down, revealing a group of 16 individuals crammed into a small and suffocating space. The migrants were visibly distressed, some holding bottles of liquid in an attempt to stay hydrated amidst the sweltering heat.
"I'm going to get them out," a trooper can be heard saying. "It's too hot."
Sixteen Illegal Immigrants Found Hidden Behind False Wall in Texas
Authorities confirmed that temperatures in the area had reached up to 95 degrees on the day of the incident, making it dangerously hot inside the trailer.
An image released by the Texas Department of Public Safety depicts a cramped compartment with people huddled together, small fans positioned above their heads to provide some relief.
Sixteen Illegal Immigrants Found Hidden Behind False Wall in Texas
The migrants were promptly arrested and handed over to the U.S. Border Patrol. Johnson, the driver of the vehicle, was taken into custody and charged with 16 counts of smuggling persons with the likelihood of serious bodily injury or death.
The incident highlights the dangers faced by illegal immigrants who attempt to cross borders in unsafe and inhumane conditions. Authorities continue to crack down on human trafficking and smuggling operations in an effort to combat the illegal movement of people and protect those who are vulnerable.
