TUCSON – Last week, a routine traffic stop by Nogales police resulted in the arrest of 24 people and seizure of fentanyl.
The bust happened after Nogales police requested the assistance of U.S. Border Patrol to identify undocumented passengers involved in a traffic stop.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, agents discovered that the lawfully admitted permanent resident driver of the car was smuggling two Mexican nationals, both illegally present in the country.
Agents also discovered that human smugglers were holding other undocumented people in a nearby house associated with the driver.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations special agents, together with Border Patrol agents, visited the residence. They discovered 21 Mexican nationals inside, all illegally present in the United States.
Agents seized nearly 2 pounds of fentanyl also found within the home.
While conducting records checks, agents learned one man in the group had been identified as a “Surenos” street gang member during a previous arrest with immigration officials.
The driver was charged with human smuggling, while the gang member will be prosecuted for felony immigration violations. All others arrested will be processed for immigration violations and expelled from the country.