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Border Patrol Agents Seize Vehicle with Hidden Compartments

Release Date
Tue, 08/16/2016

TUCSON, Ariz. – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents from the Nogales Station, working at the I-19 checkpoint on Aug. 14, arrested a U.S. citizen after finding two male Mexican nationals hiding in secret compartments within a Ford Expedition.

A Mexican national was discovered within a hidden compartment inside of a smuggling vehicle
Agents at the Interstate 19 traffic checkpoint
discovered an illegal alien within a hidden
compartment inside of a smuggling vehicle.

While performing a secondary inspection of the vehicle, agents discovered two after-market compartments with one individual hiding in each compartment. The compartments were equipped with external latches but no means of escape for the individuals hiding inside. In an emergency, the subjects would have been trapped.

Smuggling organizations often use dangerous methods of transporting people across the border with no regard for safety.

The Border Patrol is holding the driver pending prosecution charges but will process the Mexican nationals for removal, in accordance with Tucson Sector guidelines. 

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