DULZURA, Calif. — U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested five people Saturday night who were involved in a human smuggling event. Included in the group was a man who had two prior felony arrests and more than 10 years prison time.
At approximately 9:30 p.m., on September 14, Border Patrol agents near Tecate, Calif., observed a suspicious vehicle traveling on State Route 94. Noticing a Border Patrol agent behind him, the driver of the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze accelerated and attempted to evade the agent’s vehicle. However, impeded by another vehicle on the two-lane road, the driver was unable to evade the agent. Using lights and a siren, the agent pulled over the suspicious sedan.
When the agent questioned the five people in the car, the three backseat passengers claimed to be from Mexico and admitted they had no documentation that allowed them to be in the U.S.
All five were arrested and taken to a nearby station. During routine processing, it was revealed that one of the men who claimed to be a Mexican national was actually from El Salvador and had a criminal history, which included indecent liberties with a child and possession of a controlled substance.
The driver and front passenger, who are U.S. citizens, face human smuggling charges and the El Salvadoran man faces Federal charges for criminal re-entry. The vehicle was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.
To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on corridors of egress away from our Nation’s borders. To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.