Chinese Migrants Caught Trying to Enter the U.S. Hiding in Washing Machines, Furniture

The migrants were discovered in a truck driven by a 42-year-old male U.S. citizen, who tried to cross the San Ysidro border at approximately 5:25 p.m. on Dec. 7.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials searched the contents of the vehicle and located the smuggled Chinese nationals in inhumane conditions.

Some of the migrants were found tucked inside of a washing machine, a wooden chest, and a dresser.

The driver, who has not yet been identified, was transported to the Metropolitan Correctional Center for criminal proceedings, while the Chinese nationals were put on hold for criminal and immigration proceedings.

“CBP cannot stress enough the dangers of smuggling people,” CBP Director of Field Operations for San Diego Pete Flores said in a statement. “These are human beings that smugglers subject to inhumane conditions that could have deadly consequences. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured.”

Just last month, the federal agency thwarted the entry of six Chinese nationals at the same border, which separates Tijuana and San Diego.

The migrants were discovered in a false wall of a truck after an officer noticed that the rear door of the vehicle was ajar.

Twitter users commented on the latest human smuggling attempt:

Feature Images via CBP San Diego