Undocumented aliens found inside altered hay bales
FAYETTE COUNTY, Texas (FOX 44) – A traffic stop in Fayette County leads to the discovery of undocumented aliens concealed inside altered hay bales.
Sheriff Keith Korenek says a traffic stop was conducted by a deputy at approximately 12:50 p.m. Tuesday. A white Ford F-250 was pulling a gooseneck hay trailer loaded with round bales on Interstate 10 at Mile Marker #658, near Flatonia.
A closer inspection revealed that the round bales of hay were meticulously altered and hollowed out to create concealed compartments. Inside those compartments, deputies discovered multiple undocumented individuals being smuggled in dangerously confined spaces. The individuals were hidden behind metal frameworks and layers of hay designed to evade detection.
Sheriff Korenek says this method of concealment is not only deceptive, but incredibly dangerous to human life. Smugglers are continuing to use increasingly creative and hazardous techniques to transport individuals across Texas highways.
The driver of the vehicle has been identified as 44-year-old Delbert Flanders, of Kansas, who was taken to the hospital for medical treatment. The coordinators of the operation have been identified as 22-year-old Adanaylo Lambert and 25-year-old Lency Delgado Fernandez, both of Houston, who were also taken into custody and are facing federal and state charges related to human smuggling. The undocumented individuals were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for processing.
Sheriff Korenek says agencies that assisted with the traffic stop include the Texas Department of Public Saftey, the Flatonia Police Department and Fayette County EMS.
This case remains under investigation.
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