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  4. Armed Rio Rico Mother Takes 4 Kids for a Ride While Smuggling Alien

Armed Rio Rico Mother Takes 4 Kids for a Ride While Smuggling Alien

Release Date
Tue, 09/04/2018

TUCSON, Ariz. – Nogales Border Patrol agents working at the Immigration Checkpoint on Interstate 19 Sunday evening arrested an armed female U.S. citizen traveling with four children during an alleged attempt to smuggle an undocumented male Mexican national.

An agent working the primary lane directed a 39-year-old Rio Rico woman driving a Ford Expedition for a secondary immigration inspection of her two adult passengers. During questioning, agents identified a 29-year-old female passenger as being from Mexico with a border crossing card. The male passenger, however, was identified as 23-year-old Mexican national in the U.S. illegally.

Also in the vehicle were the Rio Rico woman’s three children, ages 10, 11 and 13, as well as her 5-year-old nephew. In addition, the driver had a loaded .38 caliber pistol strapped to her hip. Agents arrested both women for human smuggling, while the man is being processed for immigration violations

Agents turned three of the four children over to Child Protection Services. The 5-year-old was turned over to his mother.

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

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.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021