More than 100 people found ‘stashed’ in one house in Houston

US immigration authorities were interviewing more than 100 people presumed to be in the country illegally after they were discovered crammed into a small house in Houston, Texas.

Five men also were in custody, two of whom were arrested after driving from the home on Wednesday. Authorities suspect it was a so-called stash house, a place where smugglers bring the people they have brought into the US illegally and keep them until they or their family members pay a ransom.

Police who found handguns and documents in the car suggesting illegal activity then went inside and found the people captive. Three other men were apprehended trying to flee after police arrived.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Special Agent Brian Moskowitz told a congressional hearing on Thursday that the five were held on offences that included hostage-taking, weapons charges and conspiracy to harbour illegal immigrants.

"It's going to take some time," agency spokesman Greg Palmore said. "We're not far along that we're going to release names at this point."