Published: 04.07.2007

8 entrants found in water tanks
By Alexis Huicochea
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
A man was arrested Wednesday after officials say he tried to smuggle eight people into the country by hiding them inside water tanks.
Kenneth Claunch 53, was arrested on suspicion of people smuggling and is now facing a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Arizona.
According to the release, around 1:20 a.m., Claunch came through the port of entry in Nogales, Ariz., driving a commercial van carrying equipment for cleaning carpets.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers became suspicious and decided to perform a thorough inspection of the van, the release said.
In the back of the van, officers found two water tanks and upon taking a closer look, discovered eight people hidden inside them, the release said.
"Due to concern for the health and safety of anyone inside, several officers immediately began working on opening the water tanks while others took the driver in to custody," the release said.
The officers had to lift the tanks off the floor of the vehicle to help the entrants out of them.
Claunch is being detained pending the outcome of a hearing set for Monday.
Three of the illegal entrants are being held as material witnesses and the others were returned to Mexico, the release said.

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