Armed Smugglers Stopped By BP

TUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested two U.S. citizens for smuggling three illegal aliens, and seized an AR-15 rifle, southeast of Why, Arizona, Wednesday.

At approximately 9 p.m., Tucson Sector agents observed several people emerge from the desert near the international border and enter an awaiting Chevy pickup on Federal Route 1. Agents patrolling the area performed an immigration related traffic stop on the truck, leading to the discovery of three Mexican nationals illegally present in the United States and an AR-15 rifle and ammunition.

All three illegal immigrants were arrested. The driver and passenger of the truck, both U.S. citizens, remain in custody, pending federal smuggling charges. The AR-15, ammunition and the truck were seized.