26 people were rescued, some injured, and 7 suspects were arrested during a human trafficking operation in Texas, according to the sheriff.

CNN
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Authorities in South Texas say they disrupted a human trafficking operation, helping rescue 26 people — 11 of whom are hospitalized — and taking seven suspects into custody.

The 26 people rescued endured “miserable conditions” throughout their journey through the area, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said at a news conference Thursday afternoon.

Although authorities do not know when or where the group may have crossed the U.S. border or how long they have been in the country, authorities believe the victims were transported in a fake truck compartment for at least three hours Thursday before being taken to a home with no air conditioning, no running water and where authorities believe buckets were used for toilets. Investigators also believe the residence was also the scene of previous animal fights, the sheriff said.

“The conditions are miserable there and it’s scorching hot,” Salazar told reporters, standing near the house. “Luckily, we were able to recover these people before they passed away.”

The group includes an 18-year-old woman — who authorities say is the youngest among the victims — and a woman from Guatemala who paid about $16,000 to get there, Salazar said. Authorities do not yet know the countries of origin of the rest of the group, the sheriff said.

Those who were taken to the hospital suffered heat-related and other minor injuries, the sheriff said. Temperatures in San Antonio, the seat of Bexar County, reached at least 102 degrees Fahrenheit on Thursday.

“We don't know yet if these people crossed the border this morning or if they were already here in a hiding place in another part of the state on this side of the border,” Salazar said. “We don't know if they were smuggled in against their will, but we don't know at this stage.

“But again, it’s the fault of the bloodthirsty organizations that are bringing these people in and putting them in danger,” he added.

Salazar's press conference comes two days after President Joe Biden announced a new executive action barring migrants who cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally from seeking asylum once a daily threshold is reached, unless they do not meet certain exemptions.

The measure, which took effect Wednesday, faced criticism from progressives and others who said it was similar to measures taken under former President Donald Trump.

Bexar County officials were first informed Thursday morning that a smuggling operation appeared to be taking place. Authorities discovered that the suspected smugglers were transporting the group using a “long gooseneck trailer,” which authorities began monitoring, Salazar said.

The group of more than two dozen people lay on hard wire mesh inside a “large fake compartment,” exposed to the elements for several hours and without access to water, Salazar said. The vehicles eventually entered the home where the victims were taken, according to the sheriff.

“This trailer… you can stand right next to it and not know that this thing has 26 people in it,” Salazar said. “So he passed thousands of cars, easily.”

Salazar said the arrested suspects were involved in the human smuggling operation and referred to them as “coyotes” – a term commonly used for human smugglers. There could be more arrests as the investigation continues, the sheriff said.

Authorities found body armor and long rifles in a backyard residence, he added, and said Thursday's incident appears to be part of a larger operation “that has existed for quite some time.” time “.

Local and federal agencies, as well as U.S. Customs and Border Protection, are assisting in the matter, he added.

The sheriff also noted that when authorities first arrived at the home where the group was being held Thursday, some people had run away, but he said he believed everyone was accounted for.

“It is now possible that someone was hiding somewhere in the brush and escaped. We would tell residents in the area to keep your doors locked, although we don't think there is anyone on the loose, it's still possible, so if you see suspicious activity, suspicious people, call us,” he said.