Jamul, Calif. — U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the State Route 94 checkpoint prevented a human smuggling attempt yesterday after they discovered a man concealed between the gas tank and the undercarriage of a pickup truck.
At approximately 5:55 p.m., agents encountered a 55-year-old male Mexican national driving a white 1990 Ford F-150 as he arrived to the checkpoint. During inspection, agents became suspicious of the man’s nervous demeanor and referred him for a secondary inspection. A Border Patrol K-9 team performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle resulting in a positive alert to the vehicle’s undercarriage. Agents searched the vehicle and discovered a 45-year-old male Mexican national concealed between a modified gas tank and the pickup truck’s undercarriage. Agents removed the gas tank, freed the individual from the precarious position, and determined that he was illegally present in the United States. Both the driver and illegal alien were arrested and transported to a local Border Patrol station for processing and further investigation.
The suspected smuggler is being held in custody pending federal charges for alien smuggling. The smuggled alien is being held in Department of Homeland Security custody pending removal proceedings as a material witness. The Ford F-150 was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.
To prevent illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on major corridors of egress away from our nation’s borders. To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.
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