San Diego - During the past 36 hours, U.S. Border Patrol agents stopped three smuggling attempts using various schemes to get large groups of illegal immigrants into the country. During this period agents arrested 44 illegal aliens from various countries.
The first apprehension took place on Tuesday night at about 8 p.m., when agents stopped a Ford Explorer near the Campo area that appeared to be bearing a large amount of weight. An inspection of the rear of the Ford revealed 12 illegal immigrants stacked on top of each other; 10 from Mexico, one from Honduras and one from Guatemala. The suspected smugglers, the driver, an 18-year-old female, and her 19-year-old male passenger, both U.S. citizens, were arrested and face smuggling charges.
Early this morning, at around 4:30 a.m., Border Patrol agents arrested 10 males and one female, all illegal aliens from Mexico who were dropped off by boat at the Torrey Pines State Beach. Soon after, the Customs and Border Protection Marine Unit intercepted a “panga” boat off the coast and arrested two smuggling suspects.A defense-in-depth enforcement posture is maintained by the Border Patrol through interior checkpoints and coordinated enforcement operations. Since October 1, 2008, the men and women of San Diego Sector have apprehended more than 86,000 illegal aliens in the San Diego sector area of responsibility.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
