TUCSON, Ariz. – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents from the Willcox Station arrested a local man and two illegal aliens Saturday morning at the Immigration Checkpoint located on State Route 90 near Whetstone.
The agent working the primary inspections lane encountered a Dodge Stratus driven by a 45-year-old man. The Sierra Vista resident was referred to secondary for further inspection where a canine altered to an odor it is trained to detect.
Upon searching the vehicle, agents discovered two Mexican nationals illegally present in the country, hidden inside the trunk. The driver and both illegal aliens, ages, 21 and 29 were transported to the Willcox Station for further processing. The vehicle was seized.
The illegal aliens are being processed for immigration violations, while the United States citizen driver is facing human smuggling charges.
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.