Border Patrol agents assigned to the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint in Salton City, CA arrested a man suspected of smuggling six illegal immigrants inside of a hydraulic dump 18-wheeler truck on May 5, 2020.
The incident occurred at approximately 7 a.m., when a man driving a semi tractor-trailer hauling a hydraulic dump trailer approached the checkpoint. While Border Patrol agents conducted an immigration check on the driver during primary inspection, a Border Patrol canine detection team alerted to the cargo area of the trailer, which was covered with a tarp.
The driver was referred to secondary for further inspection.
During secondary inspection, Border Patrol agents inspected the cargo area of the tractor-trailer and discovered six illegal immigrants concealed under the tarp. Agents safely removed all of the subjects and conducted welfare checks.
The driver, a 46-year-old United States citizen and six illegal immigrants, which included five adult men, and one adult woman, were placed under arrest. The driver was processed administratively for 8 USC 1324, Alien Smuggling. All six illegal aliens were repatriated back to Mexico.
