Last night at approximately 11 pm on I-59, a DeKalb County Patrol Sergeant and K-9 Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle from Texas.

9 occupants were inside the vehicle. After a further investigation, it was determined that the occupants were in the United States illegally and it was a human smuggling operation to transport them into the country from the Southern Border.

Department of Homeland Security Investigators were called, and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement detainers were placed on the subjects. Federal charges are pending.

The case is still ongoing and currently under investigation.

DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden said of the arrests: “This is a great arrest on I-59. Due to the highways and interstates intersecting our county, it’s highly likely that human trafficking as well as illegal narcotics regularly move through.”

“We have an opportunity to do our part as a department and help curb this illegal activity. Pro-active law enforcement can not only build a better county, but also help clean up our country,” he said. “I’d like to commend these deputies on their dedication to this.”

“God Bless!” Concluded Sheriff Welden.