Border Patrol agents arrested two United States citizens that were attempting to smuggle two illegal immigrants from Mexico in Yuma, AZ. The arrest was at an immigration checkpoint on September 19, 2020.
At the checkpoint a canine alerted to a human odor. During a search of the vehicle, agents discovered two undocumented Mexican nationals hiding in the trunk. Agents observed that the two men, who were in the country illegally, were sweating profusely and visibly disoriented. Agents promptly removed the two men from the trunk and provided them with water.
The two men told agents they were in the trunk for approximately one hour.
A continued search of the vehicle’s interior revealed two oxycodone pills and 16 pieces of drug paraphernalia.
The 31-year-old male driver had an extensive criminal history with 16 prior arrests for various charges to include a felony conviction for aggravated assault. The 28-year-old male passenger also had several prior arrests and convictions for theft, disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Agents arrested the two U.S. citizens and seized the vehicle, drugs and drug paraphernalia. The U.S. citizens will be presented for prosecution.
Smuggling organizations will put undocumented immigrants in harm’s way without consideration for their safety in an effort to transport them further into the interior of the United States.
