TUCSON, Ariz. – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents from the Willcox Station arrested a Bisbee man and two illegal aliens early Saturday at the immigration checkpoint on State Route 90 near Whetstone.
An agent working the primary inspection lane directed a 60-year-old Bisbee man for a secondary inspection of his Buick sedan. During the inspection, a canine alerted to an odor it was trained to detect coming from the vehicle’s trunk. Agents discovered a Peruvian female and Mexican man hiding inside. Agents arrested the driver with the two illegal aliens and seized the vehicle.
Both illegal aliens, ages 27 and 39, were transported to the Willcox Station for processing of immigration violations. The driver faces human smuggling charges and will remain in custody pending disposition.
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.