BP captures 17 undocumented immigrants

On Tuesday evening, Border Patrol agents assigned to the El Centro Sector arrested 17 illegal immigrants hidden in a semi-truck’s trailer, a Customs and Border Protection news release stated.

The event occurred when BP agents identified a semi-truck that was believed to be carrying undocumented immigrants driving west on Interstate 10.

Agents followed the semi to the Whitewater Road rest area and observed 17 individuals exit the cargo area of the semitruck and run toward bushes in an attempt to hide.

Agents immediately responded and located all 17 of the individuals and the driver of the semi. Through field interviews, agents determined that all 17 individuals were illegally present in the United States. All 17 individuals and the driver were arrested. The news release said the semi-truck was seized and the driver, a Mexican citizen, will be charged with re-entry of removed undocumented immigrants.

“This is an example of how the lives of undocumented immigrants can be put at risk by the callousness of those trying to smuggle them across,” said Assistant Chief Patrol Agent David S. Kim. “Border Patrol Agents who serve and protect our country helped avoid a potential deadly situation. These semi-trucks cannot be opened from the inside, and the individuals inside are at the mercy of the criminals who are transporting them.”

— Vincent Osuna, vosuna@ivpressonline.com