LA SALLE COUNTY, Texas (WOAI/WKRC) - Over 100 undocumented migrants were rescued from a dangerous situation after a dispatcher received multiple 911 calls where screams for help could be heard.
La Salle County Dispatch reportedly received the calls Friday night from a cell phone that became disconnected multiple times. However the dispatcher was able to gather information showing that the calls were originating between Encinal and Cotulla.
The dispatcher immediately notified an evening shift patrol supervisor saying that it sounded like several people were trapped in an enclosed area. Deputies began to coordinate efforts to find the people in distress. They found a truck-tractor trailer near Artesia Wells, with its trailer doors open, and approximately 20-30 individuals standing near the trailer. Several of the people were lying on the ground, some unresponsive and possibly deceased.
More deputies arrived and they began providing help to several of the victims. The remaining individuals took off into the brush just east of the trailer.
Multiple agencies converged on the location and were able to rescue and detain nearly 30 individuals.
Officials continued looking on Saturday near the area of Artesia Wells trying to find more of the immigrants. A total of nearly 100 people were recovered in the area.
Deputy Sheriff J. Ramirez was also able to intercept several attempts of smugglers trying to recover some of the migrants from the truck-tractor trailer. A vehicle was found crashed into the brush and one person was taken into custody for possession of illegal drugs.