Thread: Human smugglers foiled by U.S. border agents

Human smugglers foiled by U.S. border agents

SAN DIEGO: U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers stopped four human smuggling attempts over two days this week at San Diego's ports of entry.

About 10 p.m. Wednesday, officers said they stopped a 50-year-old woman driving a 1984 Volvo sedan at the San Ysidro port of entry.

The woman presented a legal permanent resident card that did not belong to her. Officers searched the sedan and found six people hidden in the trunk.

About 6 a.m. Thursday, a 21-year-old U.S. citizen and resident of National City drove a 1995 Nissan Pathfinder to the Otay Mesa port of entry.

During questioning by an officer, a police dog signaled officers to the SUV's back cargo area. Officers noticed a large metal compartment attached to the underside of the SUV, officials said.

Agents removed an access panel and found a 19-year-old man lying in the fetal position.

The man appeared dehydrated and dizzy but was in good health. Officials said the man will be used as a material witness in the case against the driver.

That afternoon, a 20-year-old woman, also a U.S. citizen and resident of Chula Vista, drove a Chevrolet Trailblazer that had been reported stolen across the San Ysidro port of entry, officials said. Five people were found hiding in the back of the vehicle, officials said.

The final attempt halted was about 8 p.m. Thursday, when a 56-year-old Mexican man presented a legal permanent residency card that did not belong to him at the San Ysidro port of entry. Officials said four people were found hiding in the trunk of the man's 1995 Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

All of those found hiding are Mexican citizens without legal entry into the United States. They were returned to Mexico.

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/ ... ?uniontrib

A good story to forward. The will try anything.