34 Arrested In Human Smuggling Attempt

POSTED: 3:29 pm PDT May 2, 2007
UPDATED: 6:39 pm PDT May 2, 2007

SAN DIEGO -- Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 34 suspected illegal immigrants Tuesday night accused of human smuggling.


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ICE officials said 30 men and four women were taken into custody at a gas station in Murphy Canyon.

According to officials, ICE agents received a tip from a resident in Alpine that two vehicles may be transporting illegal immigrants.

Agents found the cars in question, an SUV and a pickup truck, and followed them to their exit near Aero Road and Interstate 15. Officials said the two vehicles met up with a third car at a gas station. That's when ICE agents moved in and made their arrests.

Officials said the people were hiding in both cars, including under a tarp in the bed of the pickup truck.

Six of those arrested will be prosecuted for illegal human smuggling, officials said.

ICE agents told NBC 7/39 they found some of the people under a tarp in the back of the pickup truck. Officials believe the group was headed to Los Angeles.

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