97 illegal immigrants found in 34 degree truck

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Nogales, AZ - The driver of a semi that was transporting 97 illegal immigrants inside the 34 degree refrigerated trailer appeared in federal court Thursday. Luis Mendoza, 26, of Fresno, California was charged with Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens for Profit. Arizona Department of Public Safety officers stopped the semi Wednesday on I-19 north of Nogales, AZ and discovered the illegal immigrants inside. "This is yet another frightening example of the callous disregard human smugglers have for those who entrust their lives to them," said Matthew Allen, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Arizona. "These people were treated like cargo. They were crammed inside this truck and subjected to near freezing temperatures. Fortunately, due to the swift action of the law enforcement agencies involved in this case, none of these people came to any harm." According to DPS, the vehicle was originally stopped for an equipment violation. After the driver was taken into custody, the officer discovered 97 undocumented aliens, including adults and children, in the trailer kept at 34 degrees. The children ranged in age from 9 to 12. Also in the trailer was a load of produce, say officers.According to DPS, the smuggled aliens were from Mexico and Guatemala."This is another great example of the cooperation and ability to work together that exists in Arizona between State, local and Federal law enforcement. We can do a lot more than one agency working by itself. Let me take this opportunity to congratulate our Officer for an excellent job," said Roger Vanderpool, director of DPS.