TUCSON – Three U.S. citizens were arrested by Border Patrol agents for smuggling six illegal aliens west of Arivaca on Tuesday morning.
According to U.S. Border Patrol, agents from the Tucson Sector agents began investigating a suspicious vehicle report near Arivaca when they encountered a 24-year-old Arizona man driving a Jeep Cherokee through an area commonly used by human smugglers.
As agents questioned the man, an AMO helicopter surveilling the area spotted an abandoned off-road utility vehicle and six people wearing camouflage hiding in the desert. Two additional U.S. citizens and a firearm were located in the vicinity.
Officials say the gun and UTV, both reported as stolen, were seized along with the Jeep Cherokee.
After further questioning, all nine people were arrested, however two United States citizen were released and are not being charged at this time. One U.S. citizen man will remain in custody pending facing human smuggling charges.
Four Ecuadorian and two Guatemalan nationals will be processed for immigration violations.