Last week alone, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona filed 17 cases against 22 individuals responsible for smuggling illegal aliens into and within the District of Arizona.
In two instances, the suspects were illegal aliens smuggling illegal aliens.
In the case of the United States v. Martin Alberto Cota Jr., Cota, of Mexico, was charged with one count of Transportation of an Illegal Alien for Profit. According to the Department of Justice, on Aug. 8, 2026, Border Patrol agents saw a vehicle traveling east on State Route 82. Records checks revealed that the vehicle had a cancelled registration and had entered the United States through the Nogales Port of Entry with one occupant. However, agents saw two occupants in the vehicle.
The agents initiated a vehicle stop, but the driver, identified as Cota, rapidly accelerated. Approximately three miles later, Cota abruptly pulled to the side of the road where a subject exited from the passenger’s side. Cota then continued traveling east on State Route 82 before eventually pulling into a gas station.
Agents took Cota into custody.
Other agents in the area apprehended the smuggled subject who had exited the vehicle earlier. The subject was determined to be a Mexican citizen, unlawfully present in the United States.
In the case of United States v. Marcelino Iganacio Mendoza-Santos. On Aug. 10, 2026, Marcelino Iganacio Mendoza-Santos was charged by criminal complaint with Transportation of an Illegal Alien. According to the Department of Justice, on Aug. 7, an Arizona Department of Public Safety Trooper stopped Mendoza-Santos for speeding. Border Patrol assisted with the stop and determined that Mendoza-Santos’ four passengers were citizens of Mexico, unlawfully present in the United States.
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