On Feb. 27, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the San Ysidro Port of Entry arrested a driver attempting to smuggle a Mexican national who was concealed in a non-factory compartment built into the vehicle’s gas tank.
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - A 20-year-old man was arrested after authorities say he attempted to smuggle another man across the U.S.-Mexico border by hiding him inside a vehicle’s gas tank, federal officials said.
Suspicion at the border
What we know:
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the young man was driving a 2005 GMC SUV on Feb. 27 when he arrived at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.
During the initial inspection, a CBP canine alerted officers to the vehicle’s undercarriage, raising suspicion.
ICE agents arrest woman at SFO, bystanders capture on video
An airport spokesperson said the ICE action was unrelated to President Trump's directive to deploy agents to airports nationwide to assist the TSA.
Hidden in the gas tank
Dig deeper:
Officers drove the SUV to a secondary inspection area, where they discovered a man, a Mexican national, concealed in a non-factory compartment within the gas tank.
Authorities said the man suffered burn injuries during the ordeal and was taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital in Chula Vista for treatment.
‘Inhumane tactics’
What they're saying:
"This case underscores the dangerous and inhumane tactics employed by smugglers who prioritize profit over human lives," said San Ysidro Port Director Mariza Marin. "Thanks to the vigilance and professionalism of U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, this individual was located and removed from a life-threatening situation, subsequently receiving the medical attention they needed. CBP remains committed to disrupting smuggling operations that endanger the public."
Arrest
The driver was arrested and booked into the Metropolitan Correctional Center in San Diego.
The Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection