TUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a teenage U.S. citizen for smuggling three illegal aliens near Nogales Monday, her second smuggling-related arrest in seven months.
Tucson Sector agents assigned to the Nogales Station conducted a vehicle stop after observing three men emerge from brush along Interstate 19 and enter a white Mercedes sedan. The individuals attempted to abscond from agents. All were apprehended after a short foot chase.
During questioning, agents determined the driver, a 19-year-old Phoenix woman, was smuggling three Mexican national men, ages 21, 30, and 31, all illegally present in the United States.
Further records checks revealed the 19-year-old woman was incarcerated seven months ago for 60 days following a human smuggling conviction.
Agents seized the vehicle. The woman will be held in custody under human smuggling charges while the illegal aliens will be processed for immigration violations.
Criminal smuggling organizations recruit people across all demographics, including youth. Community outreach programs like Tucson Sector’s Together Educating and Mentoring Kids program, also known as “T.E.A.M. Kids,” educates children and parents about the dangers of associating with criminal groups.
For more details regarding this media release or to schedule a remote interview via the LiveU system, please contact the Tucson Sector Border Patrol Public Affairs Office at tca-pao@cbp.dhs.gov or at 520-748-3210.
