U.S. Citizen Arrested Attempting to Smuggle Eight Undocumented Individuals

El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents conducting anti-smuggling operations arrested a United States citizen attempting to smuggle eight undocumented individuals on Saturday morning. 

At approximately 9:00 a.m., agents conducted a vehicle stop on a white 2002 Ford F-350 hauling a white Warrior travel trailer on Interstate 10 and Dillon Rd. During the stop, agents conducted an interview with two occupants of the vehicle and determined that the driver was a United States citizen, and the passenger was a national of Mexico without any proper documents to be in the United States legally. 

A further inspection of the travel trailer revealed seven additional individuals concealed laying down on the floor and in the restroom. Five were Mexican nationals and two were Guatemala citizens, who did not possess the proper documentation to be in the U.S. legally.     

All individuals were transported to the Indio Border Patrol station to be held for further processing. The driver was turned over to local authorities for an outstanding warrant for probation violation. All other undocumented individuals will be processed accordingly.

The vehicle will be seized as per El Centro Sector guidelines.