TUCSON, Ariz. – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents from the Nogales Station arrested a Phoenix couple at the Interstate 19 immigration checkpoint near Amado, Arizona, after finding a Mexican national in the trunk of their vehicle on Friday evening.
Agents referred the 22-year-old male driver and 21-year-old female passenger for secondary inspection of the Ford Focus they were driving, leading to the discovery of a 41-year-old Mexican man in the trunk. A small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia were also found.
Agents arrested the couple for human smuggling and seized their vehicle. While processing the Mexican national for immigration violations, as per Tucson Sector guidelines, agents learned he was previously removed from the United States.
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 and 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.