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    In an effort to keep CBP.gov current, the archive contains content from a previous administration or is otherwise outdated.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. Tractor-Trailer Human Smuggler Arrested by Border Patrol

Tractor-Trailer Human Smuggler Arrested by Border Patrol

Release Date
Tue, 08/11/2020

OCOTILLO, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested a man suspected of smuggling nine illegal aliens hidden in the cabin of his tractor-trailer Sunday morning.

During the cabin inspection, Border Patrol agents discovered nine illegal aliens attempting to conceal themselves in the sleeper cabin. Agents safely removed all of the subjects and conducted welfare checks. The incident occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m., when a man driving a gold 1995 semi tractor-trailer approached the Highway S-2 immigration checkpoint.  During an immigration check on the driver, agents were given consent to inspect the cabin of the semi-truck. 

During the cabin inspection, Border Patrol agents discovered nine illegal aliens attempting to conceal themselves in the sleeper cabin.  Agents safely removed all of the subjects and conducted welfare checks.  The smuggler and all nine illegal aliens were subsequently placed under arrest.

The driver, a 34-year-old legal permanent resident from Mexico, was processed administratively for alien smuggling.  A search of the driver’s pockets also revealed a glass pipe with residue consistent with methamphetamine.  The glass pipe and the semi tractor-trailer were seized. 

The illegal aliens, seven adult men, two adult females, all from Mexico, were expelled back 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