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Dump Truck Smuggling Attempt Stopped by Border Patrol

Release Date
Fri, 05/29/2020

EL CENTRO, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the El Centro station arrested a teenager suspected of smuggling seven illegal aliens Thursday afternoon.

Border Patrol agents assigned to the El Centro station arrested a teenager suspected of smuggling seven illegal aliens in the back of a trash hauling truck Thursday afternoon.The incident occurred at approximately 3:15 p.m., when a concerned citizen reported a dump truck suspected of alien smuggling near Holt Avenue and Orange Avenue.  Agents responded and located the dump truck parked in the aforementioned location.  Agents approached the driver and conducted an interview.  The driver, a 16-year-old juvenile and lawfully admitted permanent resident from Mexico, admitted to having illegal aliens in the rear cargo area of the truck.  Agents searched the truck and discovered seven men, all adult Mexican nationals illegally present in the United States.  The teenage driver and the men were placed under arrest and were transported to the El Centro station for further processing.

The driver was processed administratively for 8 USC 1324 Alien Smuggling and was released to his father.

The men were expeditiously expelled to their country of origin.

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 official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021