Border agents apprehended four Chinese nationals allegedly attempting to cross illegally from Tijuana, Mexico into the U.S. by way of San Ysidro Port of Entry near San Diego, Calif., on Tuesday evening.
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection press release issued Thursday night stated the four hid inside the truck of a vehicle and are alleged having attempted to be smuggled into the U.S. at the border checkpoint.
Agents reported a 24-year-old male U.S. citizen driving a 2014 Chrysler 200 attempted to pass over the border. During the car’s inspection, a canine unit alerted officers about an item inside. The agents found three women and one man packed inside the trunk.
“Concealing persons in vehicles is dangerous and could have severe consequences,” Pete Flores, Director of Field Operations for CBP in San Diego, said in a statement. “San Ysidro CBP officers stopped a violation of our immigration law and were able to resolve the incident safely.”
The unnamed driver will face federal charges and was taken to Metropolitan Correctional Center and is awaiting arraignment. The four unannounced passengers were placed on an immigration hold and are awaiting removal procedures.
CBP seized the vehicle.
