Immigrants found concealed in cargo of lumber

By César Rodriguez, LMTonline.com / Laredo Morning Times

Published

6:32 pm CST, Tuesday, January 5, 2021

A man has been arrested after U.S. Border Patrol agents discovered multiple people hiding in a cargo of lumber, states the arrest affidavit filed on Dec. 31.

A blue sport utility vehicle pulling a trailer with lumber arrived at the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint on Interstate 35 on Dec. 29. The driver was identified as Jorge Gonzalez. He was referred to secondary examination after a K-9 unit alerted to possible contraband within the vehicle.

Agents searched the trailer and discovered 17 people hiding in a compartment built inside the lumber. All were determined to be immigrants who were in the country illegally. Gonzalez and the immigrants were detained for further investigation.

Homeland Security Investigations special agents responded to take over the investigation. Gonzalez allegedly agreed to provide a statement without an attorney present.

“Gonzalez stated he did not have his driver’s license. He knew he was transporting something illegal and he was to be paid approximately ($2,000) to drive the trailer toward San Antonio, Texas,” states the affidavit.

Gonzalez was arrested and charged with transport, attempt to transport, conspire to transport immigrants who were in the country illegally.

A Mexican national detained as a material witness stated he made arrangements with a smuggler for a sum of money to be transported into the United States. He stated it was hard to breathe inside the wooden compartment. He was not able to identify the driver of the trailer, states the affidavit.