A Mexican national has been sentenced to 18 months in prison on charges of human smuggling, as announced by Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens via a social media post.
"Last August, USBP agents in Chula Vista, CA arrested a human smuggling foot guide & seized a pistol w/ 2 loaded magazines," said Jason Owens, according to X. "On 2/12, the subject plead guilty & was sentenced to 18 months in prison. After his sentence he will be deported back to Mexico."
The area where the incident occurred is no stranger to such illicit activities. According to a news release by Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), agents at the Brown Field Border Patrol Station in the San Diego Sector foiled over 100 human smuggling attempts in January 2023 alone. The agents' operations were concentrated along a 25-mile stretch of State Route (Highway) 94, State Route 188 in Tecate, and Otay Lakes Road in Jamul and Chula Vista. Over the month, they confiscated more than 130 vehicles and arrested around 150 suspected human smugglers. Interestingly, only seven out of the total incidents involved individuals who did not immediately pull over for the agents.
San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Aaron M. Heitke emphasized the risks associated with relying on smugglers for border crossing. "When you rely on smugglers to cross our borders, you are putting yourself in danger," Heitke said. "We encourage everyone who wants to enter our country to use our ports of entry because they are legal and safe. Human smugglers are criminals breaking our laws. We’ve seen an increase of smugglers carrying weapons and using unsafe tactics thus endangering the lives and safety of migrants, the public and our agents."
In another incident reported by CBP in August, a Mexican man with a previous sexual offense conviction was apprehended by Border Patrol agents near Calexico West Port of Entry. The agents spotted him entering U.S territory approximately three miles east of the port. The man was found attempting to hide himself in a field.
El Centro Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gregory K. Bovino praised his team's relentless efforts in securing America's borders against potential threats. "Patrolling the border to apprehend sexual predators and other violators, our agents are national treasures," Bovino said. "I am amazed at the perseverance of our agents who strive to make America safer day in and day out. Hats off to them, good job."
