Trunk Smuggling Attempts Stopped

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TUCSON, Ariz. – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents stopped two separate attempts of human smuggling this week, while working immigration checkpoints near Casa Grande and Three Points.

The first incident took place Monday evening near Casa Grande, when an adult U.S. Citizen woman driving a Pontiac sedan was referred for secondary inspection subsequent to a canine alert. During the inspection, agents found a 20-year-old woman and an 18-year-old man, both from Guatemala and illegally present in the United States, concealed in the trunk.

The second attempt was stopped when agents working the immigration checkpoint west of Three Points, referred a U.S. Citizen man and his female passenger for a secondary inspection. With the assistance of a canine, agents found two adult men from Guatemala concealed in the trunk of the Nissan Altima.

In both incidents the U.S. Citizens driving were arrested for human smuggling and the four illegally present Guatemalan nationals are in custody pending removal proceedings in accordance with Tucson Sector guidelines.

Since Jan. 1, 2017, there have been 10 smuggling attempts interdicted within the Tucson Sector area of responsibility, in which the illegal aliens were trapped in the trunks of vehicles without any means of escape. This is a common dangerous tactic amongst smugglers in an attempt to conceal their illicit cargo.

Federal law allows agents to charge individuals by complaint, a method that allows the filing of charges for criminal activity without inferring guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless and until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

CBP welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. All calls will be answered and remain anonymous.

~CBP~

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP’s mission includes keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws. Follow us on Twitter @CBPArizona.

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