PINE VALLEY, Calif.—U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a 22-year-old man Sunday afternoon who attempted to flee the Border Patrol checkpoint in Pine Valley and was discovered to be allegedly smuggling three individuals in his car trunk.

At approximately 3 p.m., agents at the checkpoint on Interstate 8 encountered a man driving a 2015 Kia Forte.  After a Border Patrol K-9 at the Pine Valley checkpoint alerted to the vehicle, agents asked him to open the trunk of his vehicle. The man immediately attempted to flee from the checkpoint by speeding off, but agents activated a nearby tire-deflator device, which successfully dissuaded the driver from proceeding.

Agents arrested a man who was smuggling three people in the trunk of his car.

Agents inspected the sedan’s trunk and discovered the three male Mexican nationals.  The driver was arrested for human smuggling.

Agents assisted the three men in the trunk, who indicated that the enclosed area was very tight and extremely hot (in excess of 100 degrees) and had little air flow.  During subsequent questioning, agents determined that the subjects were citizens of Mexico illegally present in the U.S.

David BeMiller, Patrol Agent in Charge, said “Campo Station agents did a fantastic job in detecting this human smuggling load, leading to the rescue of three individuals, and now the driver faces criminal prosecution.”

The driver is being held in Department of Homeland Security custody.  The vehicle was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.

From October 1, 2015, to May 31, 2016, Border Patrol agents in San Diego Sector have rescued 46 people.

To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on corridors of egress away from our Nation’s borders.  To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.