Thread: Two people found hidden in Mercedes at border

Two people found hidden in Mercedes at border

By Susan Shroder, Union-Tribune Staff Writer
March 16, 2010 at 4:49 p.m.

SAN DIEGO— Two people being smuggled into the country were found crammed inside hidden compartments on either side of a 1997 Mercedes-Benz, and one of them was unresponsive when pulled from the car, federal authorities said Tuesday.

The two were found shortly after midnight Saturday after a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry ordered the 26-year-old female driver of the car over for secondary inspection.

A drug-detection dog alerted to the car’s fender. Officers found compartments between the engine and both side quarter panels. They removed one panel and found a 39-year-old man who was curled in the fetal position and was unable to move. When officers helped him out, he was sweating profusely and needed assistance to stand, said Angelica De Cima, a CBP spokeswoman.

The opposite side quarter panel was removed, and a 26-year-old woman was found inside. She was unresponsive and had a 4-inch burn on her right leg. She was given immediate medical attention.

The driver, from Santa Ana, was arrested and taken to the downtown Metropolitan Correctional Center.

Both of the illegal immigrants were from Mexico. They were held as witnesses.

In addition, the CBP announced that it had confiscated more than 2,900 pounds of drugs valued at $2.2 million in a four-day period ending Tuesday morning, including 64 packages of marijuana hidden in one truck and 54 packages hidden in another.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010 ... at-border/

Is being smuggled in a Mercedes like the first class of smuggling?

evidentally it is "first class"

Looks like Santa Ana, California just lost 2 MORE RESIDENTS!!!!!