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  4. Two U.S. Citizens Arrested Attempting to Smuggle Seven Undocumented Individuals

Two U.S. Citizens Arrested Attempting to Smuggle Seven Undocumented Individuals

Release Date
Mon, 03/28/2022

INDIO, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents conducting anti-smuggling operations arrested two United States citizens attempting to smuggle seven undocumented individuals and seized a firearm, ammunition, and currency on Thursday night.

Smuggled individuals.
El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents found
seven undocumented individuals hiding in the 
bed of a pickup truck Thursday night.

At approximately 10:42 p.m., agents conducted a vehicle stop on a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado on Interstate 10 and Golf Center Parkway. As agents approached the vehicle, they noticed three individuals laying down attempting to conceal themselves in the bed of the truck, and another four individuals in the rear cab. Agents conducted an interview with all the occupants in the vehicle and it was determined that both the driver and passenger were United States citizens, and the other seven individuals were all nationals of Mexico without the proper documents to be in the United States legally.

Glock
El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents found
a loaded Glock 27 during a vehicle stop
Thursday night.

All occupants of the vehicle were placed under arrest. After an immediate search of the vehicle and its occupants, agents discovered a loaded Glock 27 firearm, 10 rounds of unspent ammunition, and recovered $8,576 in cash.  

All individuals were transported to the Indio Border Patrol station to be held and processed accordingly.

The vehicle, firearm, and ammunition will be seized per El Centro Sector guidelines.

Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection. For all news, information, and updates follow us on Twitter @CBPElCentro, @USBPChiefELC and Instagram.

Last Modified: May 11, 2022