ATASCOCITA, Texas — A few dozen migrants were detained by authorities in Atascosa Thursday after Bexar County deputies investigated an area of concern and discovered them.
Sheriff Javier Salazar said between 35 and 39 migrants in total are now preparing to be interviewed by federal officials "to see if we can determine who among the group are coyotes and who are victims."
Deputies initially stopped a vehicle near the property, inside of which was a man and two teenage girls believed to be trafficking victims.
"Trafficking activity, smuggling activity, stolen vehicles—today we've got basically all of the above," Salazar said.
Also on the property were several trucks found to be stolen, and suspected of being used to smuggle migrants. According to the sheriff, several of the migrants – most of them males – told deputies they hadn't eaten in six days.
Several of their feet were "torn up," he added, likely from traveling, and one woman developed severe blister injuries.
"It's heartbreaking no matter how you look at it," Salazar added.
The below video provided to KENS 5 by BCSO shows officials tending to migrants.
Salazar said there had been a recent “uptick in violent crime” in a typically quiet area of the county, which is what initially attracted the attention of law enforcement.