The individuals were from El Salvador, Ecuador, and Guatemala.

This morning, the DeKalb County Criminal Interdiction team was working the major highways and interstates within the county.

Around 10:30 am, interdiction deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle near the 218 mile marker of I-59. After searching the vehicle, ten illegal aliens were located in a vehicle.

After an initial investigation, it was determined to be a human smuggling operation. The individuals were from El Salvador, Ecuador, and Guatemala.

The Department of Homeland Security was called to the scene and the suspects were taken into Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.

This investigation is ongoing and federal charges are pending.

DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden said of the incident: “This is another great job by our Interdiction Team. Even though we are far from the Southern Border, we can still play a role in enforcing our nation’s laws right here in DeKalb County.”

“While it may seem that they were trying to start a new life in our country, these people are exploited and taken advantage of. Some have to pay thousands of dollars to be smuggled in and are made to work for inhumane wages.”

“Again, I’d like to thank our interdiction team for another job well done. God Bless!” Concluded Sheriff Welden.