Authorities arrested suspected human smugglers this week after finding 12 migrants hidden inside hollowed-out hay bales during a routine traffic stop near Flatonia, Texas, officials said.
Deputies from Fayette County Sheriff’s Office discovered the migrants concealed in “dangerously confined spaces” under layers of hay and metal framework.
“This method of concealment is not only deceptive but incredibly dangerous to human life,” the sheriff’s office stated. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) assisted after deputies noticed inconsistencies while questioning the driver and passengers. The driver, Delbert Flanders, 44, was hospitalized, while alleged coordinators Adanaylo Lambert, 22, and Lency Delgado Fernandez, 25, were arrested and face federal and state human smuggling charges. The migrants were handed over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for processing.
Separately, two other human smugglers were sentenced after high-speed chases near the border. Juan Miguel Regalado received 66 months, and Samuel Grajeda Jr. 30 months in prison, both with three years supervised release.