People Found in Houston Smuggling Operation are COVID Positive
A mother carries her daughter to shore after a smuggler rowed them across the Rio Grande at the U.S.-Mexico border on April 9, 2021 in Roma, Texas. A surge of immigrants crossing into the United States, including record numbers of children, continues along the southern border. John Moore/Getty Images

Five have tested positive for COVID-19 out of the about 100 people involved in the human smuggling operation in a Houston home.

Captives were tested after some of them complained of COVID-related symptoms, such as fever, loss of smell, and taste.

Five people are still waiting for their COVID tests, according to a Fox News report.

An all-night investigation was brought on the table after authorities received a tip last Thursday.

Assistant Police Chief Daryn Edwards said that a SWAT team entered the home on 12210 Chessington Drive, wherein they found a disturbing human smuggling case instead of a kidnapping incident.

Houston Human Smuggling

Edwards said inside the house people, were "all huddled together." About five were women, while the rest of the number were men, according to The New York Times report.

"This is obviously not something we see often, but it is disturbing," Edwards was quoted in a report.

Police also brought food inside the home as those who were inside were told they had not eaten in a while.

Edwards said that investigators from the Department of Homeland Security were on the scene for a possible probe of human smuggling.

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has charged five people with the human smuggling incident in Texas.

They were charged with harboring, concealing, and shielding undocumented immigrants for the use of commercial advantage and financial gain.

The suspects' names were released on the public: Marina Garcia-Diaz, 22, of El Salvador; Henry Licona-Larios, 31, Honduras; and Kevin Kicona-Lopez, 25, Honduras.

Among the suspects were also Marco Baca-Perez, 30, Mexico; and Marcelo Garcia-Palacios, 21, Mexico, according to an Insider report.

The filing claims that Martinez paid human smugglers $11,000 to move her brother from Honduras to the U.S.

Martinez said she was told by several people that if she did not pay an additional $6,300, her brother would be killed.

Martinez reportedly spoke with her brother briefly in a separate call, wherein her brother repeatedly asked for her help.

She then reported the incident to Houston Police Department.

A sentence of up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 could be imposed on the five charged if proven guilty.

Human Smuggling in The U.S.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the leading law enforcement agency for the fight against human smuggling.

Jack Staton, acting special agent in charge of ICE Homeland Security Investigations in El Paso, Texas, said that smugglers have no concern for humanity, adding that it is a money business.

"They look at people as merchandise, as a way to make money," Staton was quoted on ICE's website.

ICE said that human smuggling on the southwest border of the U.S. is a daily occurrence, citing The Rio Grande Valley as the busiest area for human smuggling activity in the country right now.

The law enforcement agency noted that paying higher smuggling fees to organizations does not guarantee safe transit.

WATCH: More than 90 people found in SW Houston home in suspected human smuggling operation, 5 test positive - from KHOU 11