Deputies say they discovered the human smuggling victims in a “stifling hot” wooden structure that didn’t have AC.
SAN ANTONIO — Bexar County officials say 26 human-smuggling victims were found and seven others taken into custody when law enforcement busted an operation on the far south side Thursday afternoon.
On a day when temperatures were threatening to reach triple-digits, Sheriff Javier Salazar said the migrants – the youngest of which is believed to be 18 – were found in a “stifling hot” wooden structure in the area of Loop 1604 and Oak Island Drive.
Authorities say there was no air conditioning inside the structure. Eleven of the 26 people found there were transported to local hospitals to be treated for heat-related ailments.
Several agencies are involved in the ongoing investigation.
“It’s under control, but it was a pretty chaotic situation,” Salazar said, adding no one was found dead. “Everyone worked together beautifully to bring this thing to as peaceful a status right now as we could’ve had.”
Salazar said BCSO became aware of and established surveillance on a long gooseneck truck being used to smuggle the victims into town Thursday. The people inside, he says, were transported in a “false compartment” inside the truck on top of hard mesh for nearly three hours.
Of the seven detained, it’s still unclear who will be facing charges, according to Salazar. Several people initially fled the scene but BCSO believes everyone has now been accounted for.
Salazar also said deputies found several bulletproof vests and long rifles on the property, calling the operation “clearly cartel-related.”
“These guys, in some instances, are hiding in plain sight,” he said. “In others, they’re under the radar. We’d use this as an opportunity to remind everybody: If you have information on a smuggling operation, give us a call at 210-335-6000.”
This is a developing story. Stay with KENS 5 for the latest updates.
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