Early Tuesday, during a seemingly routine traffic stop for a violation on US 57 just west of Batesville, Texas, the night took an unexpected turn as Esmeralda Abigail Trejo found herself under arrest for allegedly smuggling three men believed to be undocumented migrants, reports Fox San Antonio. The Zavala County Sheriff's Department detailed the incident on their Facebook page, noting that the arrest occurred around 12:30 AM.
The Zavala County Sheriff indicated that Trejo was stopped for a nominal traffic violation before the deputy's diligence unearthed to more sinister findings. Trejo had claimed she was simply returning to San Antonio from Carrizo Springs and was giving a lift to three men. However, the subsequent investigation revealed the trio to be illegal entrants into the country, turning a minor stop into a significant smuggling bust.
Following the discovery, Trejo was charged with Smuggling of Persons and was taken to Zavala County Jail, as mentioned by BNN Breaking. Meanwhile, her vehicle, a White Chevrolet Trax, was released to a local wrecker service.
The three migrants were subsequently turned over to the US Border Patrol, making clear the challenges that officials routinely encounter as they aim to tightly secure the nation's borders.
