The US Border Patrol, Tucson Sector, reported via Facebook:

Eight Mexican citizens “dangerously concealed” in a locked/inoperable truck bed cover were discovered by Sonoita Station agents.

On Wednesday, August 17, 2022, an agent stopped a pickup truck towing a small trailer on SR-83. Suspecting the U.S. citizen driver was attempting to smuggle humans, a consent to search the covered bed was requested. The driver refused, and a K9 Team responded approximately 22 minutes later.

Following a K9 alert, agents noticed movement under the tonneau cover, indicating concealed humans were trapped inside. After struggling to open the cover, eight Mexican citizens were discovered. In approximate 85° heat, the migrants were sweating profusely and asking for water. A certified EMT agent requested EMS for a 19-year-old female who required emergency care. She was transported to a hospital in Sierra Vista, AZ, where she fully recovered. The driver faces criminal charges.