YUMA – Two U.S. citizens with criminal histories, we caught by Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents attempting to smuggle two Mexican nationals through the Highway 78 immigration checkpoint in the trunk of a vehicle.
On Saturday, at approximately 4 p.m., the agents referred a 2013 Chrysler 200 to the secondary inspection area of the checkpoint after they were alerted by a trained canine. Agents discovered two undocumented Mexican nationals hiding in the trunk during a search of the vehicle.
The two men, who were in the country illegally, were sweating profusely and visibly disoriented, according to the agents.
Agents promptly removed the two men from the trunk and provided them with water. The two men told agents they were in the trunk for approximately one hour.
Agents also found two oxycodone pills and 16 pieces of drug paraphernalia.
The 31-year-old male driver had an extensive criminal history with 16 prior arrests for various charges to include a felony conviction for aggravated assault. The 28-year-old male passenger also had several prior arrests and convictions for theft, disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Agents arrested the two U.S. citizens and seized the vehicle, drugs and drug paraphernalia. The U.S. citizens will be presented for prosecution of 8 U.S. Code 1324, alien smuggling.