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  4. BP Stops Human Smuggling on Tucson’s Far West Side

BP Stops Human Smuggling on Tucson’s Far West Side

Release Date
Fri, 02/14/2020

TUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Border Patrol agents working near Tucson’s western city limits arrested five illegal aliens and a U.S. citizen Thursday morning.

During an immigration stop around 8 a.m., Tucson Sector agents discovered four Guatemalans, and one Mexican national, hiding in a Nissan Altima.

Border agents discovered illegal aliens hidden inside of a vehicle stopped west of Tucson on Thursday
Border agents discovered illegal aliens
hidden inside of a vehicle stopped
west of Tucson on Thursday

All five men were illegally present in the United States. Four were packed into the vehicle’s trunk while the fifth lying on the floor of the vehicle’s back seat.

The dangerous tactic of smuggling humans in a trunk is an ongoing trend. It demonstrates the lack of value smuggling organizations place on the lives of illegal aliens.

Agents seized the vehicle and arrested the driver, a U.S. citizen who is being held in custody on federal human smuggling charges. The five illegal aliens will be processed for immigration violations.

U.S. Border Patrol officials warn that placing humans in a vehicle’s trunk or bed can be extremely dangerous. The risks, including carbon monoxide poisoning and serious injury or death in the event of a vehicle collision, increase when people are hidden in compartments to avoid detection by law enforcement officials.

For more details regarding this news release, contact the Tucson Sector Public Affairs Office at tca-pao@cbp.dhs.gov or by phone at 520-748-3210. Tucson Sector is also LiveU capable. Contact us to schedule an interview.

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