Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents arrested three human smugglers after finding a group of migrants in a towed boat. This incident took place at an interior immigration checkpoint near the border in Arizona.
Sonoita Station Border Patrol agents observed two vehicles approaching the SR-82 immigration checkpoint at about 3 a.m. on January 12 for inspection. One of the vehicles had a boat in tow, according to a tweet by Tucson Sector Chief Patrol Agent John R. Modlin.
Three U.S. citizen smugglers were arrested using a boat to conceal migrants.
Sonoita Station agents at the SR-82 Checkpoint discovered seven Mexican citizens hiding in a towed boat when two vehicles approached inspection together. Additional information: https://t.co/7rXnHEKh5O pic.twitter.com/L7Eldmbnmq
— John R. Modlin (@USBPChiefTCA) January 18, 2023
During an immigration inspection, agents found five migrants hiding in the stern compartment of a trailered boat being towed by a Ford F-150 pickup truck. As the search continued, the agents found two more migrants locked in a small compartment in the bow of the boat.
The agents arrested the driver and a passenger in the truck on charges of human smuggling. They also arrested the driver of a Jeep Commander driving in tandem with the Ford.
The agents seized the vehicles and transported the migrants to the Sonoita Station for processing. Agents said the seven migrants included two women, four men, and an unaccompanied minor. All were identified as citizens of Mexico, a statement from Tucson Sector officials revealed.
“Border Patrol agents and their law enforcement partners are dedicated to the safety and security of all whom they encounter,” Tucson Sector Chief Patrol Agent John Modlin said in the written statement. “Our Agents regularly rescue migrants from extremely dangerous human smuggling situations, such as being transported in compartments of vessels not intended to be used to transport people on roadways in frigid temperatures, and callous smugglers who show no regard for their well-being.”
Bob Price serves as associate editor and senior news contributor for the Breitbart Texas-Border team. He is an original member of the Breitbart Texas team. Price is a regular panelist on Fox 26 Houston’s What’s Your Point? Sunday-morning talk show. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX.
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