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.

  1. Home
  2. Newsroom
  3. Local Media Release
  4. Agents Seize Clone Van Attempting to Smuggle 3 Individuals, USC Driver Arrested

Agents Seize Clone Van Attempting to Smuggle 3 Individuals, USC Driver Arrested

Release Date
Wed, 12/08/2021

SALTON CITY, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents seized a clone delivery truck and arrested a United States citizen accused of transporting three undocumented individuals Thursday afternoon.

At approximately 3:20 p.m., a white 2016 Ford Transit 250 van approached the Highway 86 checkpoint. The agent inspecting vehicles in primary lanes referred the vehicle to secondary lanes for further inspection.

After getting consent to search the cargo area of the van, agents discovered three undocumented individuals attempting to conceal themselves inside of cardboard boxes. The driver and the three undocumented individuals, all adult males, Mexican nationals were arrested and taken into custody at the Highway 86 Checkpoint for further investigation.

The driver, a 24-year-old male, United States citizen will face federal charges.

The cloned vehicle was seized per El Centro Sector guidelines.

 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the comprehensive management, control, and protection of our nation’s borders, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection at and between official ports of entry.

Last Modified: Oct 12, 2023