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Encinal police foiled a human smuggling attempt where four undocumented immigrants were found inside an external gas tank on Friday, August 25.
According to a report on the case, officers effected a traffic stop after the driver of a white Ford F 250 violated the Texas Transportation Code.
It was during the roadside interview with the driver identified as Miguel Angel Gutierrez, the officers noted ‘suspicious behavior’ prompting a search of the vehicle.
The Laredo man allegedly consented to the search.
In the bed of the pickup truck, officers observed an external gas tank that was empty. During a subsequent search investigating officers discovered clothing and an arm sticking out from the bottom of the empty tank, according to a report on the case.
“When the officers removed the gas tank they discovered four individuals, one female and two males, hidden inside,” a report on the case said.
The four undocumented immigrants were turned over to border patrol agents and Gutierrez was transported to the La Salle County Jail without further incident.
Gutierrez faces four felony charges for smuggling of persons.
“This is definitely a rescue,” Encinal Police Chief Pablo Balboa said. “With the hot conditions and these people being crammed in a tight space, there is no telling what could have been the outcome had my officers not made this discovery.”
