30 undocumented immigrants found in the back of tractor trailer

Border Patrol agents inspect vehicles traveling north on U.S. 281 at the checkpoint just south of Falfurrias. Border Patrol agents inspect vehicles traveling north on U.S. 281 at the checkpoint just south of Falfurrias. Photo: Bob Owen /San Antonio Express-News Photo: Bob Owen /San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 32 Caption Close 30 undocumented immigrants found in the back of tractor trailer 1 / 32 Back to Gallery

Border Patrol agents found 30 people inside a tractor trailer stopped at a checkpoint Tuesday night, according to a news release from the agency.

This discovery was made when the 18-wheeler occupied by two American citizens pulled up to the Falfurrias checkpoint. A Border Patrol K9 alerted agents to check the cargo area of the truck, where agents found 30 undocumented immigrants hiding among the cargo, officials said.

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Medical attention was offered to them, but was decline, according to the Border Patrol. The citizens were arrested and the truck was seized.

Earlier in the week, 12 undocumented immigrants were found in a similar scheme, according to the news release.

The discovery comes days after the Border Patrol has rolled out a new campaign called Operation Big Rig.

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The initiative is meant to put a spotlight on human smuggling and reducing its prevalence.

The Border Patrol warned truck drivers, saying anyone convicted of human smuggling charges would be disqualified from driving commercial vehicles for life.

Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here. | fsabawi@mysa.com | Twitter: @FaresInSA