TUCSON, Ariz. – Nogales Border Patrol agents arrested a U.S. citizen and a legally admitted permanent resident from Mexico after they fled the interstate 19 Immigration Checkpoint and attempted to smuggle five Mexican nationals on Tuesday night.
Agents referred the driver of a Chrysler 300 for additional screening after a U.S. Border Patrol canine alerted to an odor it was trained to detect emitting from the vehicle. The driver instead fled from the immigration checkpoint and ultimately stopped for pursuing agents a few miles north.
Agents arrested the 36-year-old female U.S. citizen driver and the 28-year-old male passenger, after discovering a Mexican national in the rear seat, and four additional Mexican nationals in the trunk.
The driver and passenger are being processed for smuggling, while the five Mexican nationals, ages 15 through 36, are being processed for immigration violations.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials welcome assistance from the community. Individuals 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.