Human smugglers using a pair of vehicles to transport illegals aliens across an Indian reservation on the southern border were busted by local and federal authorities.
On Wednesday, U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) released details about the incident, which unfolded on the Tohono O’odham Nation Reservation in Arizona on May 8.
USBP agents from Three Points Station in Tucson Sector pulled over two suspicious cars on a remote highway with the assistance of reservation police.
During an inspection, agents encountered a total of 13 travelers, three of whom were identified as U.S. citizens suspected of participating in a smuggling operation.
The other 10 were found to be illegal aliens from Mexico and Guatemala.
The suspects are now facing smuggling charges and the aliens were charged with illegal entry and will be “removed from the U.S. as soon as possible,” Tucson Sector’s Chief Patrol Agent explained in a statement.
“This incident remains under investigation, and Tucson Sector will continue to collaborate with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to pursue all applicable criminal charges.”
While illegal border crossings have dropped to historic lows under the Trump administration, agents in Tucson Sector are still intercepting smugglers and illegals on a frequent basis.
Two days prior to the reservation bust, illegal aliens from Mexico and Honduras who did not know each other were caught in a Toyota Corolla on the same reservation.
Agents found a loaded pistol inside the vehicle and hit the driver with an additional charge of illegal firearm possession.
On May 10, an armed smuggler in a BMW was arrested after picking up two illegal aliens in the desert near USBP’s Ajo Station.
“Border Patrol agents quickly conducted a vehicle stop, seized a 9mm handgun, and arrested everyone in the vehicle. The driver will be prosecuted for human smuggling, and the aliens will be charged with illegal entry and expeditiously removed from the country,” USBP said.