Man caught with 2 Chinese nationals charged with smuggling





SIGNONSANDIEGO NEWS SERVICES

10:12 a.m. January 19, 2006

SAN DIEGO – A Mexican who tried to sneak two Chinese nationals into the United States at Otay Mesa border crossing will be charged with alien smuggling, federal authorities said today.
Federal agents caught 49-year-old Jose Carlos Padilla and the Chinese nationals about 2:15 a.m. Tuesday, according to Angelica De Cima of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Padilla, a Mexican, tried to enter the United States in a green 1995 GMC Sierra pickup at the Otay Mesa port of entry when officers stopped him, De Cima said.

Padilla said he was a U.S. citizen, then accelerated when an officer started questioning him about a compartment under the truck, she said.

Padilla ran the truck into a masonry trash receptacle and an inspection booth; he was arrested when he got out of the truck and tried to run into Mexico, De Cima said.

Agents examined the truck and found two Chinese men hiding in the compartment under the truck, she said.

All three were taken into CBP custody. The two Chinese men will be returned to China, and Padilla will be charged with smuggling, De Cima said.

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