Since Dec. 28, more than 130 illegal immigrants have been apprehended after arriving at U.S. and Canadian ports inside shipping containers. U.S. officials say the Chinese paid between $50,000 to $60,000 apiece for the privilege of spending up to two weeks in horrible conditions inside the steel crates.

Previously the smugglers favored soft-top shipping containers, which have a canvas roof that lets fresh air seep in and provides a potential escape route. Even so, three men died in such a box before it was unloaded in Seattle on Jan. 10. Fifteen other immigrants survived the voyage, but several were near death when they arrived.

https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna3339957