BCSO arrests 3 after finding 12 people in an 18-wheeler in San Antonio

Three people have been arrested after an investigation by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office led to the discovery of multiple persons inside an 18-wheeler as part of an alleged human trafficking operation.

Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar held a press conference on Friday, March 1 to provide details on the arrests of Esteban Escobar Pichardo, 43, Erika Lizbeth Saldana, 22, and Elias Eleanor Garcia, 23. Salazar said on late Thursday night, February 29, he was notified about a tip that was made on a case they had been working on with U.S. Border Patrol.

“Information was received that there was an 18-wheeler that was going to be traveling through San Antonio with human cargo aboard, in the trailer part of the 18-wheeler,” Salazar said. “So we sent out our organized crime group to try to establish surveillance on the vehicle.”

That team, Salazar said, picked up surveillance on the vehicle headed across the county line near the Von Ormy area on I-35, headed into San Antonio. The unit was able to catch up to the vehicle near IH-10 East and WW White Road, and then eventually, officials found the vehicle in a cul-de-sac area near Currency and Profit Drives.

Officials also saw the vehicle being followed by what Salazar said were believed to be “several trail vehicles.” Salazar added the were unsure at the time if the vehicles were security for the 18-wheeler, or a threat to law enforcement, the people who were in the trailer, or the drivers of the 18-wheeler.

Officials were able to stop and detain those in the vehicles, and Salazar said they found 10 men and two unaccompanied minors inside the 18-wheeler. They were teen boys, aged 15 and 16, respectively, Salazar said. He added most of them are believed to be from Mexico, and reported no injuries and no signs of any type of abuse or harm.

The three people arrested were all charged with smuggling of persons, and engaging in organized criminal activity. Salazar said the 18-wheeler and three other vehicles were seized, and they are still investigating to see if the 18-wheeler was stolen.

One other person who was driving one of the trail vehicles was released after officials verified who they were, and their involvement in the incident. However, their vehicle was seized.

All three were being held at the Bexar County Jail on a $50,000 bond. However, they all bonded out as of Saturday morning.