JAMUL, Calif. — San Diego Sector Border Patrol agents arrested two men on Sunday who attempted to smuggle four undocumented migrants through a checkpoint, June 20.
Agents arrested two U.S. citizens – a 28-year-old man who was driving, and his 36-year-old passenger. The pair could face human smuggling charges.
The incident occurred about 9:30 a.m. when a flatbed tow truck towing a minivan arrived at the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) checkpoint on State Route 94.
As the tow truck approached primary inspection, agents could see two men in the cab. Agents questioned both men regarding their immigration status. As one agent questioned the two occupants, another agent climbed onto the bed of the tow truck to inspect the van. Moving to the rear of the van, he observed the silhouette of a human body through a rear-tinted window.
Suspecting a smuggling event in progress, the agent opened the rear door of the van and found four men attempting to conceal themselves. All four men were sweating profusely due to the hot temperature inside the van. After determining the men were not physically distressed, the agents asked each about their citizenship and determined that all four men were Mexican nationals illegally present in the U.S.
Searching the tow truck further, agents discovered a loaded handgun inside a toolbox by the driver’s seat.
USBP agents contacted the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, who responded, cited the driver for improper transportation of a firearm and took possession of the loaded handgun.
The four undocumented individuals were taken to a local Border Patrol station for processing. The minivan was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol and the tow truck was returned to the tow company.
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.
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.