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Back-to-Back Smuggling Attempts Stopped

Release Date
Fri, 10/16/2015

TUCSON, Ariz. – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Interstate 19 checkpoint near Tubac rescued five illegal migrants from vehicle trunks during two separate smuggling attempts on Oct. 15. The incidents took place within 30 minutes of each other.

The first event occurred at approximately 7:45 a.m. when agents released three adult Mexican nationals from the trunk of an Acura LX. The second event took place 30 minutes later when a Border Patrol agent and his canine partner discovered two Mexican nationals in the trunk of a Lincoln LS. In both incidents, the vehicle trunks were locked with no visible means of escape.

The drivers, both United States citizens, are being prosecuted for smuggling. The five undocumented Mexican nationals and two vehicles will be processed according to Tucson Sector guidelines. There were no injuries reported.

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

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021