Human Smuggling Attempts Thwarted At Immigration Checkpoint

TUCSON, Ariz. – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents stopped two human smuggling attempts during the holiday weekend at the immigration checkpoint on Interstate 19 near Amado.

The first incident occurred Saturday when a male U.S. citizen driving a Hyundai Accent entered the primary inspection lane and a canine alerted to the rear of the vehicle. Agents subsequently discovered two male Mexican nationals, illegally present in the United States, in the vehicle’s trunk. 

The second incident occurred Monday when another male U.S. citizen entered the primary lanes and was referred for a secondary inspection. During the inspection, agents discovered an undocumented Mexican national concealed in the vehicle’s trunk. 

The tactic of concealing humans in the trunks of vehicles is commonly used by smuggling organizations, which could lead to suffocation, heat stroke, hypothermia or injury from vehicle collisions.