LA JOYA – After attempting to enter the U.S. illegally, 19 people are in Border Patrol custody.

McAllen border agents were patrolling in the area south of La Joya when they spotted 19 people load a pickup truck.

As agents pursued the vehicle, the driver turned into a residential area, where all the occupants abandoned the pickup.

Agents searched a nearby wooded area for several hours before apprehending all the passengers.

Officials were unable to locate the driver.