TUCSON, Ariz. – Willcox Border Patrol agents arrested a Phoenix man Tuesday for smuggling two Mexican nationals found hiding in his vehicle.
A Cochise County Sheriff’s deputy participating in Operation Stonegarden requested a Border Patrol canine for a search of a Kia Forte stopped south of the State Route 90 Immigration Checkpoint. When an agent arrived with his canine partner, the dog alerted to an odor it is trained to detect coming from the vehicle’s trunk.
The trunk was opened and, inside, the agent discovered two male Mexican nationals, ages 19 and 35.
Agents seized the vehicle and charged the 25-year-old driver with human smuggling. The two Mexican nationals were processed for immigration violations.
The U.S. Border Patrol continues to coordinate border security efforts with state and local law enforcement agencies through Operation Stonegarden to secure the border and keep communities safe. Operation Stonegarden facilitates funding to state and local law enforcement agencies in support of border security.