KVOA

Posted: Sep 30, 2009 5:45 PM
Updated: Oct 1, 2009 7:29 AM

CORPUS CHRISTI - An illegal immigrant bailout near Bishop Wednesday set off an intense search for the illegals and the smuggler.

The driver of the pickup hauling the illegals ran through a fence on County Road 6 trying to get away, but later got stuck in some thick mud. When deputies searched the truck, they found some ammunition.

"There was ammunition for a .45, .380 and a 12-gauge shotgun," Precinct 3 Deputy Willie Vera said. "They assumption is that there's weapons involved."

"That's when we ordered everybody to back off, set up a perimeter, and wait for backup," Precinct 3 Constable Jimmy Rivera said.

A DPS helicopter and Border Patrol agents were called in to help with the search. The first to come out of the brush was a man who appeared to be suffering from heat exhaustion after walking in the brush for two days.

Another came out minutes later, another after that and then two more handcuffed together. Next, two more people came out, one was a woman, all looking exhausted from an apparently long journey that ended in a way none were expecting.

Authorities believe they captured all the illegals who bailed out.

"We estimated seven or eight, and actually we apprehended eight, of course, that's not counting the driver," Vera said.

Eventually, they did get the smuggler's truck, as well as his cargo. The illegal immigrants will now likely be deported back to the country they came from, which still remains unclear.

Online Reporter: Bart Bedsole