U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Area Port of Douglas intercepted an attempted alien smuggling operation involving a teenager and arrested a 28-year-old Ecuadoran national. The incident occurred on February 11, 2025, when a 16-year-old U.S. citizen male approached the primary vehicle lane for inspection in a Toyota Tacoma truck with an adult passenger.
The passenger provided an Arizona State Identification card and claimed to be a U.S. citizen. However, during the primary inspection, CBP officers suspected the identification did not belong to the passenger, prompting them to refer both individuals for secondary inspection.
In secondary inspection, it was revealed that there was no relationship between the minor and the adult male, despite the minor claiming they were friends. Further checks confirmed that while the identification card was genuine, it did not match the passenger's identity.
A systems check identified the adult as a 28-year-old Ecuadoran national with an extradition warrant from New York related to a fatal hit-and-run incident. Consequently, the minor was arrested, and the Ecuadoran national was handed over to Douglas Police Department before being transported to Cochise County jail pending extradition.
Martin Gomez, Area Port Director for Douglas stated: “We remain committed to upholding our nation’s immigration laws and the safety of the American public.”
Federal law allows charging individuals by complaint without inferring guilt; individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt by competent evidence presented to a jury.
CBP's Office of Field Operations plays a critical role in anti-terrorism efforts at national ports by screening people, vehicles, and goods entering the United States while facilitating legitimate trade and travel. Their duties also include narcotics interdiction and enforcing immigration and trade laws among other responsibilities.
As America's largest law enforcement organization with over 65,000 members, CBP is tasked with protecting America across various domains while ensuring economic prosperity through secure travel and trade facilitation.
