Skip to main content

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • Archived Content
    In an effort to keep CBP.gov current, the archive contains content from a previous administration or is otherwise outdated.
  1. Home
  2. Newsroom
  3. Local Media Release
  4. CBP Officers At El Paso Port Remove Smuggled Alien From Hidden Compartment

CBP Officers At El Paso Port Remove Smuggled Alien From Hidden Compartment

Release Date
Thu, 02/26/2015

EL PASO, TEXAS - U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operation officers working at the El Paso port of entry apprehended an alien smuggler Wednesday. The driver of a pickup truck was arrested after CBP officers discovered a female concealed in non-factory compartment.

CBP Officers prepare to remove alien from compartment.

CBP Officers prepare to remove alien from compartment.

“At first glance this appeared to be a legitimate entry however the good work and attention to detail demonstrated by CBP officers resulted in this discovery,” said CBP El Paso Port Director Beverly Good. “This is an unusual case for the El Paso port but serves as a reminder that CBP officers must constantly remain vigilant.”

The apprehension was made at 8 a.m. at the Ysleta international crossing when a 1995 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck arrived at the port from Mexico. The bed of the was modified with high walls truck to carry large loads. CBP officers performed an inspection of the truck and located a non-factory compartment built above the cab of the truck. CBP officers opened the compartment and discovered a 33-year-old Mexican female inside. The passenger did not have entry documents and was taken into custody.

CBP officers arrested the driver of the truck, 20-year-old Rigoberto Antunez Villanueva of Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. He is facing alien smuggling and aiding and abetting charges in connection with the failed human smuggling attempt. He was booked into the El Paso County jail.

 

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