LAS CRUCES, NM – U.S. border guards assigned to an immigration checkpoint in Las Cruces, New Mexico, encountered a semi-trailer truck smuggling 69 migrants in the early hours of September 30th.
Border officials at Las Cruces Station assigned to the immigration checkpoint on Interstate 25 watched a white semi-trailer truck with a visible occupant pull into the main lane for inspection. Due to the conflicting history and nervous behavior of the driver, the agents referred the driver to the secondary control lane for further investigation.
Further questioning resulted in agents gaining access to the back of the trailer, where 69 migrants were discovered. Agents also confiscated more than $ 11,000 found in the trailer. It was found that the 69 migrants can be expelled under Title 42.
The U.S. citizen driver was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to be prosecuted for smuggling.
This semi-trailer truck is the second smuggling program discovered in September by agents of the El Paso Sector Border Patrol. The first event occurred on September 17, when Border Patrol agents, along with HSI, rescued 131 migrants found in a semi-trailer near Anthony, New Mexico.
“These types of nefarious acts by transnational criminal organizations operating in the El Paso region demonstrate once again the total disregard for the lives of migrants,” said Gloria I. Chavez, Chief Patrol Agent for the El Paso Sector. “I am extremely proud of the exceptional work that has been done.” By our Las Cruces agents and our HSI partners. The joint reaction of our agents prevented a terrible tragedy. “
U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes community support. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol while remaining anonymous by calling 1-800-635-2509. Please visit www.cbp.gov for additional press releases and other information on US Customs and Border Protection.
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