Pine Valley, California - Monday, U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a 41-year-old man at the Interstate 8 checkpoint for human smuggling.

At approximately 11:30 a.m., Border Patrol agents at the Pine Valley checkpoint encountered a U.S. citizen driving a 2005 Acura RL sedan.  Conducting a cursory inspection of the car, agents discovered two men locked in the trunk and sweating profusely.  The trunk had no internal escape latch and the men had no water.  The confined suspects admitted they were Mexican nationals illegally present in the U.S.

The driver was arrested and faces Federal charges for human smuggling.  The vehicle was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.

Last fiscal year, the San Diego Sector apprehended 29,911 people for entering the U.S. illegally.

To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on corridors of egress away from our Nation’s borders.  To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.