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Welfare Check Leads to Human Smuggling Arrests

Release Date
Thu, 11/19/2020

TUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Border Patrol agents patrolling on the Tohono O’odham reservation near the town of Komelik arrested four people while conducting a welfare check Tuesday night.

Around 8:30 p.m., Tucson Sector agents observed a sedan parked on the side of a dark, desolate stretch of federal Route 15 with its hazard lights on. As they approached the vehicle to check on the safety of the driver, they saw three passengers inside, each wearing camouflage clothing. All three admitted to being illegally present in the United States.

Agents arrested the U.S citizen driver, who now faces federal charges for human smuggling. The illegal aliens, one from El Salvador and two from Ecuador, face immigration charges.

Agents also seized a loaded firearm found in the driver’s side front door panel of the sedan.

Agents discovered a loaded handgun inside of a load vehicle
Agents discovered a loaded
handgun inside of a load
vehicle

Human smuggling organizations regularly force illegal aliens to buy camouflage clothes in addition to charging them thousands of dollars to illegally cross into the United States. They exploit vulnerable people without a care for their safety or wellbeing on what is often a dangerous trek through long miles of desert.

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