17 migrants rescued from ‘cloned’ trailer in Texas

17 Immigrants Found in Trailer

Suspect Arrested for Human Trafficking

Hidden 3-Foot Space

A total of 17 immigrants were found inside a cloned trailer on August 30 in Texas.

The discovery was made on US-277 in Kinney County.

The trailer, which had been cloned to resemble a Lowe’s vehicle, concealed a secret compartment.

Inside the trailer, 13 men and 4 women were confined in a space just 3 feet wide.

Dehydrated Immigrants Found in Trailer Receive Medical Attention

Immigrants Found in Cloned Trailer in Texas. Photo: DPS

Some of the immigrants found in Texas showed signs of dehydration and were taken to medical centers.

The suspect, Megel Cazanna Patterson, was arrested and charged with human trafficking.

Authorities noticed irregularities in the trailer’s cargo area, leading to the discovery of the false compartment.

The compartment was lined with a wood-like material that had been recently installed.

The immigrants were placed in the custody of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency.

Several immigrants were drenched in sweat and had numb legs due to the cramped space.

You Might Be Interested: 230 migrants rescued from the back of a trailer in Puebla

The case is reminiscent of the tragic incident in June 2022 in San Antonio, where 53 immigrants died in a trailer that was eventually discovered.

The San Antonio trailer had a faulty air conditioning system, which contributed to the deaths.

The group from San Antonio came from Laredo, Texas, and some immigrants were from Guatemala.

Guatemalan authorities made arrests in August 2024 related to that operation.

The United States has requested the extradition of Rigoberto Román Miranda Orozco, an alleged coyote linked to the San Antonio case.

To listen to the podcast of this and other news, click on the photo

Immigrants Found in Cloned Trailer in Texas. / PHOTO MundoNOW