EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Port of El Paso Rail Operations uncovered four individuals concealed inside a rail hopper car filled with cement powder last Wednesday.
According to CBP, officers conducting inspections at rail operations flagged anomalies during an X-ray scan of a hopper car around 10 p.m.
A closer examination revealed signs of tampering on the car’s seal, prompting a more thorough search.
Upon opening the compartment, officers observed what appeared to be feet protruding from the cement powder.
Further inspection led to the discovery of four individuals hidden within the cement powder, officials said.
Officials said all four were safely removed from the hopper car and received medical evaluations on-site. They were later provided with showers to remove the cement residue from their bodies.
CBP emphasized that concealment methods like this pose severe health and safety risks. Exposure to cement powder can lead to respiratory complications, skin and eye irritation, chemical burns, and even suffocation or death.
“This type of smuggling attempt is extremely dangerous,” CBP noted, underscoring the potentially life-threatening conditions faced by those attempting to cross the border in such a manner.
The agency did not release additional details about the individuals involved but reiterated its commitment to border security and the protection of human life.
The incident remains under investigation.
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