Border Patrol: Man Accused Of Smuggling In Children
Marijuana, Paraphernalia Also Found IN SUV

POSTED: 7:59 pm PDT August 27, 2008
UPDATED: 9:56 pm PDT August 27, 2008


SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. -- Border Patrol officials Wednesday said that on Tuesday an agent arrested a 27-year-old Mexican national who was smuggling two children.

At about 4:45 p.m., officials said the agent spotted two children attempting to hide in the back seat of Ford Expedition as they traveled northbound on Interstate 5. After stopping the SUV, officials said the agent discovered that the male driver was an illegal alien.

The agent proceeded to interview the man about the boy and the girl in the back seat, officials said. The man claimed they were his niece and nephew and he stated their names. Upon questioning the children, the agent determined that the driver provided inconsistent information.

The driver was then arrested, officials said.

During an investigation, agents discovered the 10-year-old girl and 11-year-old boy are Mexican nationals and they were illegally smuggled into the country, officials said, and agents said they suspected the man was being paid to transport them to Los Angeles.

Officials said agents searched the SUV and found a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia stashed inside the vehicle.

The man is facing charges for alien smuggling and the children were currently in federal custody, officials said, pending further investigation.



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