San Diego Border Patrol Agents Arrest 19 Individuals in Border Drainage System
Release Date Mon, 05/18/2026
Group included convicted drug traffickers
SAN DIEGO — U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Chula Vista Station recently arrested 19 people discovered hiding in a drainage system near the border in San Diego. Among those arrested were 35-year-old Raudel Carrillo-Padilla and 31-year-old Ivan Carrillo-Padilla, two previously deported Mexican brothers with convictions in 2017 for possession, transport, and intent to sell methamphetamine out of Yreka, California. Ivan had an additional deportation after being arrested for a 2019 drug-related interdiction stop in Eugene, Oregon.
The incident occurred on May 4 at 10:40 p.m. when agents, aided by the
Remote Video Surveillance System, detected suspicious activity near the drainage tunnels. Agents responded to the location and encountered a group attempting to illegally enter the United States through the tunnel system.
Agents safely arrested 16 adults and three unaccompanied children, all citizens of Mexico. The San Diego Sector Tunnel Team responded to clear the drainage system and ensure no additional individuals were concealed inside. All 19 subjects were transported to the Chula Vista Station for processing.
https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/san-diego-border-patrol-agents-arrest-19-individuals-border
