Border Patrol Agents Foil Two Smuggling Attempts in Two Hours
Release Date:
May 21, 2021
EL CENTRO, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents apprehended a total of 16 undocumented individuals in two smuggling events Wednesday night.
The first incident occurred at approximately 9:15 p.m., when agents observed a white GMC Sierra cargo van in a known corridor for potential smuggling activity in El Centro. Agents suspected the vehicle was being used for human smuggling and conducted a vehicle stop on the cargo van approximately one mile south of Interstate 8 and Bonds Corner Road.
Border Patrol agents discovered
undocumented individuals hidden
in a compartment of a vehicle.
Agents approached the vehicle and discovered 14 undocumented individuals that were being transported inside the cargo van. Agents safely removed all of the subjects and conducted welfare checks. The driver, a 55-year-old lawfully admitted permanent resident from Mexico, and all 14 undocumented individuals, Mexican nationals, were transported to the El Centro Sector Processing Center for further processing.
El Centro Sector seized the vehicle, and the driver was processed administratively for human smuggling. The 14 undocumented individuals were expelled back to Mexico under Title 42.
https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/border-patrol-agents-foil-two-smuggling-attempts-two-hours-0
