Val Verde County, Texas – On June 8, a Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper uncovered a human smuggling attempt on US-277 involving hay bales and a hidden trailer compartment.

The Trooper stopped a Ford F-150 towing a trailer loaded with hay. The driver, identified as Christopher Ortiz of San Antonio, refused consent for a search.

A Border Patrol K-9 unit was called to the scene. The dog alerted officers to the trailer.

Troopers and Border Patrol Agents searched the trailer and discovered two illegal immigrants concealed beneath the hay bales.

Ortiz was immediately arrested. He faces two charges of smuggling persons with the likelihood of serious bodily injury or death.

The two immigrants, both from Mexico, were handed over to Border Patrol for processing.

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