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A man is under arrest after Border Patrol agents at the Falfurrias checkpoint found five people hidden inside an auxiliary fuel tank on his white Ford F-250, according to a criminal complaint.
Juan Leonardo Olguin was arrested early Friday morning and charged with attempting to transport people in the country illegally.
Border Patrol first encountered Olguin at 4:52 a.m. and during an interview, he claimed to be heading to Corpus Christi for work, but when asked what kind of work, Olguin said he didn’t know, according to the complaint.
The agent conducting the questioning felt Olguin was avoiding eye contact and as the questioning progressed, the complaint said Olguin changed his story and said he was instead heading to Bishop to meet his boss.
At this point, Border Patrol asked Olguin if he would consent to an x-ray and Olguin agreed.
During a secondary inspection, agents noticed signs of tampering on the auxiliary fuel tank on the truck’s bed and a K-9 alerted to it, according to the complaint.
“Agents were able to look into the fuel tank and noticed there were several subjects concealed inside,” the complaint stated. “Agents utilized a forklift to lift the fuel tank and discovered a total of five subjects inside.”
After his arrest, Olguin told Border Patrol that he uses the truck to transport people and that he has been smuggling since November, according to the complaint.
“Olguin stated he has successfully smuggled approximately (100) individuals,” the complaint stated. “Olguin stated he receives payment of $1,000 for each person he smuggles.”
Most of his smuggling events used the same fuel tank, according to the complaint.
“Olguin stated the subjects ride inside the fuel tank until he reaches Refugio, Texas,” the complaint stated. “Once in Refugio, Olguin stated he lets the subjects out and they ride in the cab of the truck with him.”
Olguin made a first appearance in Corpus Christi federal court on Monday morning and is being temporarily held without bond.
