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U.S. Citizen Attempts to Smuggle Illegal Immigrants

Release Date

TUCSON, Ariz. – Sonoita Station Border Patrol agents working with a canine at the immigration checkpoint on State Route 83 arrested a 47-year-old Tucson woman on Dec. 12 after finding two illegal immigrants from Mexico in the trunk of her Mercedes sedan.

Agents also reported that the Mexican nationals had no knowledge on how to escape from the trunk in case of an emergency. 

Agents discovered 2 people being smuggled inside the trunk of a car.
Agents discovered 2 people being
smuggled inside the trunk of a car.

Agents seized the vehicle and arrested the driver, a U.S. citizen, who now faces criminal charges for human smuggling. The Mexican nationals are pending removal proceedings.

Federal law allows the Border Patrol to charge individuals by complaint, a method that allows the filing of charges for criminal activity without inferring guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless and until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. All calls will be answered and remain anonymous.

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.

Tags: 
Border Security
, 
U.S. Border Patrol
, 
Smuggling
, 
Archive Media Releases
Last Modified: February 3, 2021