Border Patrol agents assigned to the I-19 immigration checkpoint near Amado, AZ arrested a Phoenix man with extensive criminal history, Wednesday morning, after discovering three illegal immigrants concealed in his vehicle.
Agents working the primary inspection lane at the immigration checkpoint, referred the 36 year-old driver of a 2018 Kia sedan to secondary inspection after a service canine alerted to an odor it is trained to detect, emanating from his vehicle.
During a search of the vehicle, agents discovered and arrested three illegal alien men from Mexico, concealed in the trunk of the vehicle. The men ages 29-38, were transported to the Nogales Border Patrol Station for processing on immigration violations.
The United States citizen driver, was also transported to the Nogales Station, where criminal record and biometrics checks revealed he had felony convictions that included, aggravated assault, possession of a controlled substance, and marijuana transportation and possession charges.
The driver is being charged with human smuggling and will remain in custody pending a disposition in this case.
As temperatures continue to rise, Border Patrol officials warn that Arizona’s high temperatures can kill humans riding in the trunk of a car. Other dangers include carbon monoxide poisoning and the risk of serious injury or death from a vehicle collision.
