SAN DIEGO — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the San Ysidro port of entry Saturday arrested a SENTRI participant after they discovered the driver presented entry documents for his female passenger that did not legally belong to her.
“My officers remain ever vigilant to ensure the integrity of the SENTRI program,” said Port Director Sidney Aki. ”We trust but verify and when participants betray our trust, we work with the authorities to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”
On Dec.3, at about 1:30 p.m., a 57-year-old male U.S. citizen driving a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban with a 37-year-old female passenger, approached a designated SENTRI booth for inspection. The driver presented his SENTRI card and the passenger’s border crossing card and SENTRI card for entry, to the officer. The CBP officer referred the vehicle and occupants for a more in-depth examination.
During the intensive examination, CBP officers discovered the passenger was not the rightful owner of the documents presented, but a citizen of Mexico without no legal right to enter the U.S.
CBP officers arrested the driver and transported him to the Metropolitan Correctional Center to await arraignment. CBP officers seized the vehicle and revoked the man’s SENTRI privileges.
Officers detained the woman who will be returned to Mexico at the conclusion of the criminal case.