Mexican national found dead; suspected smuggler arrested

4:23 p.m. December 19, 2008
SAN DIEGO —

A Mexican national believed to have crossed into the United States illegally was found dead in East County, and Border Patrol agents have arrested a man suspected of smuggling him and others across the border.

Using information from two other illegal immigrants caught earlier in the day, agents found the victim, a man believed to be about 20 years old, late Thursday morning near Pine Valley, said Border Patrol spokesman Mark Endicott.

The victim was apparently one of six illegal immigrants being smuggled near Pine Valley “when he began to succumb to the elements,â€