Suspects identified in human trafficking case

SAN ANTONIO – The suspects arrested Thursday in a human trafficking operation have been identified.

Related: 7 suspects arrested after migrants found in sweltering caravan, 1 remains hospitalized

26 migrants were discovered in a secret compartment of a tractor-trailer on Loop 1604 and Oak Island Drive, near Applewhite Road.

According to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, Abelardo Herrera, Refaef Mendoza, Cristobal DeLeon, Jose Hernandez, Vanessa Castillo and Ismael Hernandez all face various charges in connection with this case.

Law enforcement officials say “stashouts” along the southern border are far too common.

According to Texas State Troopers, hundreds of “hideouts” have been discovered on the southern border since the start of Operation Lone Star in 2021. These houses are used by traffickers to hide undocumented migrants.

The Texas Department of Public Safety says that since the launch of Operation Lone Star, they have dismantled more than 500 “stash houses” across the state.

Now the state of Texas is offering a $5,000 reward to anyone who sends in a good stash tip.