ABILENE, TX – Ten people were arrested after a human smuggling bust in Tye.
Tye police stopped a vehicle Friday on I-20 after getting a tip from another law enforcement agency.
Chief Jay Strong said a man from Honduras was transporting nine Mexican nationals.
According to law enforcement, “there has been a noticeable uptick in the smuggling of humans along I-20 in Texas.”
Police said they are now seeing human smuggling runs where all the individuals are outfitted with the same clothing, including matching camo, backpacks and footwear.
“We are learning that many of the drivers are being paid far better for smuggling people than they get for smuggling drugs.” said an unidentified law enforcement agency. “Therefore, dope runs have tapered off in our area and human smuggling is spiking, tremendously.”
The ten suspects are in jail on an immigration hold.
Border Patrol and Homeland Security are investigating the case.
