CALEXICO, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Calexico Station detained a man driving a cloned Imperial Irrigation District (IID) truck which was possibly involved with illegal alien smuggling near the Calexico East Port of Entry Monday night.
At approximately 7:37 p.m., Border Patrol agents received an internal radio notification that a group of individuals entered illegally into the United States via one of IID’s hydro-electric plants positioned across the All-American Canal.
truck with fake decals.
Agents responded to the area and observed a truck bearing IID logos, with a driver inside, parked near the location where the suspected illegal aliens were noticed.
After a brief examination, it was determined that the truck was a not an official IID truck. Furthermore, agents determined that the truck belonged to an insurance company out of Arizona and that the IID decals were counterfeit. Agents talked to the driver of the cloned vehicle who admitted to be involved in an alien smuggling scheme.
Agents notified Imperial County Sheriff’s Office and an officer responded to the area. The officer impounded the truck for bearing a fictitious license plate. The man, an 18-year-old United States citizen, was taken to the Calexico Border Patrol Station for further investigation and interview.
“The vigilance that our Border Patrol Agents display is vital in defeating criminal organizations and their astute smuggling tactics,” said Chief Patrol Agent Rodney S. Scott.
Soon after, agents arrested six illegal aliens near the area suspected of being involved with the cloned vehicle.