TUCSON, Ariz. – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents from the Nogales Station arrested a local woman and two illegal aliens Tuesday evening at the Immigration Checkpoint located on Interstate 19 near Amado.
The agent working the primary inspections lane encountered a Toyota Corolla driven by a 25-year-old woman. The Tucson resident was referred to secondary for further inspection where a canine alerted to an odor it is trained to detect.
Agents searched the vehicle and discovered two male Mexican nationals, illegally present in the country, hidden inside the trunk. The driver and both illegal aliens, ages 27 and 28, were arrested. The vehicle was seized.
The illegal aliens are being processed for immigration violations, while the United States citizen driver is facing human smuggling charges.
Federal law allows agents to charge individuals by complaint, a method that allows the filing of charges for criminal activity without inferring guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless or until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials welcome assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. Reporting illicit activity could result in saving someone’s life.