Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents serving a federal warrant apprehended a 19-year-old male Ghanaian national at the man’s home in Phoenix, Tuesday. While in the U.S. legally, the man was found smuggling illegal aliens on January 14.
In January, Border Patrol agents conducted an immigration inspection on a Chevrolet Cavalier along State Route 80 near Douglas, discovering two male illegal aliens during their search of the vehicle’s trunk. The two male Mexican nationals, ages 22 and 40, stated they had been placed in the trunk and had no proper ventilation, water, or means of escape. Once their safety was ensured, they were taken into federal custody and processed for immigration violations before being returned to Mexico.
The driver, an 18-year-old Mexican national in the country on an employment authorization card, was taken into custody to face human smuggling charges. His passenger, a 19-year-old Ghanaian national, was initially taken into custody but not charged at the time.
Since the incident, agents collected additional evidence and secured a warrant for the arrest of the 19-year-old. He will remain in federal custody pending disposition.
All persons apprehended by the Border Patrol undergo criminal history checks using biometrics to ensure illegal immigrants with criminal histories are positively identified.