Border agents catch 70 undocumented migrants

By: Wire Reports -

DULZURA - Border agents arrested 70 undocumented migrants Saturday for trying to sneak through a checkpoint near the US-Mexican border in the back of a modified semi trailer, the U.S. Border Patrol said Sunday.

Agents working at the state Route 94 checkpoint received an anonymous tip that a large group of people were climbing into the trailer at a trucking lot near the Tecate point of entry. The tipster gave a detailed description of the vehicle.

About two hours later, a trailer matching the description arrived at the Route 94 checkpoint at Dulzura, 45 miles east of San Diego. The agent noticed the driver was nervous and acting suspicious, the border patrol said.

The truck was sent to a secondary inspection area where its driver consented to a search of the trailer. Agents discovered 70 undocumented migrants hiding behind a wall of cardboard shredding, the border patrol said.

They also discovered that the trailer was equipped with a large freezer chest, cool drinks, ventilation and a trap door in the trailer floor for "discrete loading and unloading," the border patrol said.

All 70 people were taken into custody. The driver is being held on alien smuggling charges.

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