In The News

37 undocumented immigrants found in trailer in south Texas

By The Trucker News Services
Posted Oct 12th 2015 12:48PM

MOORE, Texas — Authorities on Friday afternoon discovered 37 undocumented immigrants locked in an 18-wheeler that was parked at a truck stop in Moore, officials said.

According to a statement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Frio County Sheriff's Office initially received a call saying several people were locked inside a tractor-trailer near a gas station at Highway 57 and Interstate 35.

Law enforcement personnel found the 37 people locked in the trailer when they arrived.

Border Patrol agents from the Laredo sector were requested to help Frio deputies take custody of the people around 4 p.m.

The driver of the tractor-trailer, Drew Potter, of Watauga, Texas, faces federal smuggling charges.

"The driver was just standing there, just like, not a care in the world," said Sgt. Jerry Reyna, Frio County Sheriff's Office.

Potter claimed ignorance of his human cargo.

"All I was paid was to drive the truck and that was it," he told authorities.

Deputies in Frio County near the border said Potter showed no concern for the immigrants when arrested. He only asked for something to drink.

Emergency personnel transported the people to several area hospitals for medical treatment, with some reportedly being treated for severe dehydration. No severe injuries were reported.

It was unclear how long the immigrants had been in the trailer, but afternoon temperatures were in the mid-90s.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations is now investigating.

The immigrants will likely be held as witnesses for Potter's trial, according to officials.

Moore is about 40 miles southwest of San Antonio.

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