Visits: 3
Three Texas men were arrested near the Mexico border after a trooper pulled over their vehicle and discovered two migrants crammed inside the car’s trunk, authorities said Saturday.
The trooper made the traffic stop on Wednesday along U.S. Route 277 in Val Verde County, the Texas Department of Public Safety said.
During an interview with the driver, the trooper asked whether there was anybody in the trunk of the car. The driver does not answer on bodycam video the department released.
The trooper placed the driver in handcuffs and spoke to the two passengers inside the vehicle. When the passengers exited the vehicle, video shows both attempting to flee into the desert.
BORDER CRISIS: 3 GIRLS ABANDONED NEAR RIO GRANDE, MEXICAN OFFICIALS MAKE RESCUE
Both passengers were eventually caught, with one being Tased, the department said.
Officers popped the trunk of the vehicle and discovered two illegal immigrants stashed inside.
Authorities also found a handgun and meth inside the car, the department said.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT FUGITIVES WANTED FOR HOMICIDE AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING DEPORTED BY ICE
The passengers were charged with evading arrest, while the driver faces charges of smuggling of persons, possession of meth and marijuana, and unlawful carrying of a weapon.
Texas DPS said the three men arrested were from Fort Worth but did not immediately release their names.
The migrants were referred to the U.S. Border Patrol.