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  4. Border Patrol Discovers 30 Migrants Locked in Semitrailer

Border Patrol Discovers 30 Migrants Locked in Semitrailer

Release Date
Mon, 10/28/2019

TUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Border Patrol agents at the Interstate 19 Immigration Checkpoint near Amado arrested two U.S. citizens for smuggling 30 illegal aliens by semitrailer Saturday night.

At approximately 10 p.m., Tucson Sector agents referred a semitrailer for secondary inspection after a Border Patrol canine alerted to the vehicle. During the inspection, agents found 29 individuals from Mexico and one from Ecuador, including an unaccompanied minor, hidden inside the trailer. Agents determined all 30 were illegally present in the country.

Agents discovered 30 illegal aliens in the back of a semitrailer stopped at the I-19 Immigration Checkpoint
Agents discovered 30 illegal aliens in
the back of a semitrailer stopped at
the I-19 Immigration Checkpoint.

The 30 foreign nationals were arrested and will be processed for immigration violations. The U.S. citizen driver and passenger face prosecution for human smuggling violations.

In an effort to prevent fatalities at the hands of smugglers, Department of Homeland Security recently launched “Operation Safeguard” to educate the public and the trucking industry on the life-threatening dangers involved in using commercial conveyances to smuggle humans. 

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 official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021