Cops have made a surprising discovery in what appeared to be ordinary bales of hay.
A shocking series of photos have shown how sheriff’s deputies uncovered a human smuggling operation after discovering multiple undocumented immigrants hidden inside meticulously altered hay bales during a routine traffic stop in Texas.
The disturbing discovery was made on Monday afternoon when Fayette County Drug Interdiction Sergeant Thumann pulled over a white Ford F-250 towing a gooseneck trailer loaded with round hay bales on Interstate 10 near Flatonia.
What appeared to be an ordinary agricultural load then turned into a major bust.
On closer inspection, cops realized the hay bales had been carefully hollowed out to create secret compartments for human cargo.
Multiple undocumented individuals were found crammed inside the dangerously confined spaces, hidden behind metal frameworks and layers of hay.
Driver Delbert Flanders, 44, from Kansas was taken to hospital for medical treatment following the traffic stop at approximately 12.50pm on the busy interstate highway.
Sheriff’s deputies uncovered a human smuggling operation after discovering multiple undocumented immigrants hidden inside meticulously altered hay bales during a routine traffic stop in TexasÂ
Two Houston residents identified as the operation coordinators were also arrested and now face serious federal and state charges related to human smuggling
The disturbing discovery was made on Monday afternoon when Fayette County Drug Interdiction Sergeant Thumann pulled over a white Ford F-250 towing a gooseneck trailer loaded with round hay bales on Interstate 10 near Flatonia
Two Houston residents identified as the operation coordinators were also arrested and now face serious federal and state charges related to human smuggling.
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Adanaylo Lambert, 22, and Lency Delgado Fernandez, 25, were taken into custody as authorities moved quickly to shut down what appears to be a sophisticated trafficking network.
Sheriff Keith Korenek described the smuggling method as ‘not only deceptive but incredibly dangerous to human life’ as temperatures in Central Texas soar during the summer months.
‘Smugglers continue to use increasingly creative and hazardous techniques to transport individuals across Texas highways,’ Korenek wrote in a post shared to social media.
The undocumented immigrants discovered inside the hay bales were turned over to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement for processing as the investigation continues.
Multiple agencies assisted with the bust including Texas DPS, Flatonia Police Department, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office deputies and county emergency medical services.
The post sparked widespread shock on social media.
‘The creative minds of criminals. Unbelievable!’ one commented.
Sheriff Keith Korenek described the smuggling method as ‘not only deceptive but incredibly dangerous to human life’ as temperatures in Central Texas soar during the summer months
Another wrote: ‘It’s miserable walking to the car right now in Central Texas.
‘The poor souls in those round bales must have been cooking with no ventilation. That is desperation on a level I feel blessed to have never experienced.’
The case remains under active investigation by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office working alongside federal authorities.