Border patrol stop smuggling attempt near Calexico

Border patrol arrest two men attempting during an attempting smuggling attempt near Calexico.

Friday morning, agents spotted an SUV and a pick-up truck driving through the international border around 14 miles west of the Calexico Port of Entry. Agents say the saw the two vehicles travel northbound across the desert until the vehicles headed eastbound on Highway 98. Agents responded and conducted vehicle stops on the highway.

Agents determined that the SUV had eight Mexican national passengers. The pick-up truck had six Mexican national passengers. All 14 passengers had no legal authority to be in the country.

The two drivers were taken into custody along with all the passengers. Agents transported the Mexican nationals to the Calexico Border Patrol Station for further investigation and processing.

Both vehicles were seized by border patrol.

“Vehicle incursions into the United States are unacceptable and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez. “The unknown threats of not knowing who or what is being brought into this country via vehicle without inspection is intolerable. I commend our Border Patrol agents for thwarting this smuggling attempt.”