Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents arrested six suspected smugglers, seized four vehicles and 122lbs of marijuana, and rescued seven Mexican nationals from trunks at immigration checkpoints in Southern Arizona last week.
On November 23, Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents were conducting an immigration inspection at the State Route 90 checkpoint outside of Whetstone. Agents referred a suspicious driver to the secondary inspection lane, but the driver ignored the command and fled the checkpoint. After a brief chase, the vehicle crashed through a fence and the driver fled on foot. Agents apprehended and arrested the driver, determined that she was a U.S. citizen, and transported her to the Willcox Border Patrol Station for further processing. The vehicle contained 122 pounds of marijuana, and was seized along with the drugs. The marijuana had an estimated street value of $61,000.
Later that week, Border Patrol agents at the I-19 Checkpoint thwarted two smuggling attempts within a few hours. Agents assigned to the Nogales Station were conducting immigration inspections when they referred a vehicle to the secondary inspection lane. Agents were granted consent to search the trunk of the vehicle and encountered two individuals concealed inside. Later that day, a similar scenario played out which led to the discovery of two additional subjects concealed in the trunk of a sedan. All four individuals claimed to be nationals of Mexico and were given medical evaluations before being transported to the Nogales Border Patrol Station for further processing. Agents arrested the four U.S citizens associated with the smuggling attempts.
On November 29, Border Patrol agents at the I-19 Checkpoint found three individuals hiding in the trunk of a car after gaining consent from the driver to search it. All three subjects, identified as Mexican nationals, were given medical evaluations and taken into custody. The driver, a U.S. citizen, was arrested and transported to the Nogales Border Patrol Station for further processing.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials welcome assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. Contacting the Border Patrol to report illicit activity could result in saving someone’s life.