Border Patrol arrests alleged smuggler

El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents working near the Highway 111 immigration checkpoint arrested an armed man suspected of smuggling six illegal aliens in a stolen vehicle Friday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported in a release.

The incident occurred about 9 a.m., when agents noticed a red Volvo SUV attempting to circumvent the checkpoint. Agents pulled over the vehicle, which was driven by 37-year-old U.S. citizen.

CBP said agents approached the vehicle and conducted an immigration interview with both the driver and front seat passenger. The driver identified himself as a U.S. citizen. The front seat passenger stated he did not have immigration documents allowing him to be in the country legally.

Agents took the driver and front seat passenger into custody, CBP said. While agents had conducted their interview, they reportedly observed multiple individuals laying on the back seat trying to conceal themselves. They also reported seeing three individuals in the rear cargo area of the vehicle. All five hidden individuals were found to be illegal aliens and taken into custody.

Agents proceeded to search the vehicle once all the occupants were removed, and discovered a 9-mm handgun hidden beneath the front passenger seat. The gun was loaded with three rounds in the magazine.

Agents also discovered that the vehicle had the wrong license plates on it and that it had been reported stolen on April 17.

The six passengers consisted of five adult males and one juvenile female and were all illegal aliens from Mexico. They were placed under arrest and transported to the checkpoint for further processing.

CBP said the driver is being held in federal custody pending further criminal prosecution.

Agents seized both the vehicle and handgun.