Hidalgo County, TX, USA - May 24, 2024

In a startling discovery, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) revealed the apprehension of 27 illegal immigrants concealed within a horse trailer during a routine traffic stop this week.

DPS Troopers halted a Ford F-250 towing a horse trailer along US-281 in Hidalgo County. The driver, identified as Jose Guadalupe Salinas from Palmview, Texas, granted permission to search the trailer and willingly opened the side hatch. What unfolded was a distressing scene, as troopers found 27 individuals crammed into the storage area, visibly distressed and perspiring profusely.

Among the group, three females were in critical condition, suffering severe dehydration exacerbated by the intense heat and lack of ventilation inside the trailer. Prompt medical attention was administered to alleviate their distress.

All 27 illegal immigrants, hailing from Mexico, were handed over to Border Patrol authorities for further processing. Meanwhile, Border Patrol has taken Salinas into custody and will pursue federal charges against him for the smuggling of persons. This incident underscores the dangers and inhuman conditions often associated with human trafficking operations.