Up to 80 people found inside trailer in San Antonio human smuggling case

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- San Antonio police are looking for dozens of people who escaped from an 18-wheeler, parked on a road outside of town, in what's believed to be a case of human smuggling.

Residents said they opened the tractor-trailer after hearing loud banging about 2:30 a.m. on Friday and found 60-to-80 people inside it.

But by the time authorities arrived, the trailer was empty - and some of the people had run into nearby woods.

As of later Friday, 20 men and nine women were located.

Investigators believe the people were inside the air-conditioned trailer for about four hours.

Officers said no one was hurt, but some had minor dehydration and fatigue.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is now taking over the investigation.