TUCSON, Ariz. – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents apprehended three Mexican nationals following a pursuit near Interstate-19 in Nogales, Arizona. The incident occurred last night when agents observed a black Trailblazer suspected of human smuggling near the border.
The vehicle failed to stop for an immigration inspection and entered a restaurant parking lot. The driver fled on foot, leaving the vehicle in gear with two passengers inside. An agent intervened by positioning his patrol vehicle to prevent the Trailblazer from moving into traffic on I-19. The vehicles collided but no injuries were reported.
A second agent captured the fleeing driver, identified as a 16-year-old minor. All individuals were determined to be Mexican citizens unlawfully present in the United States.
The suspects and vehicle were taken to Nogales Station for processing. The passengers will serve as material witnesses in a case against the driver for human smuggling.
“This incident could have turned out very differently,” stated Tucson Sector Chief Patrol Agent Sean L. McGoffin. “Thanks to these agents’ immediate actions, no one was hurt. Smuggling organizations don’t care who they put at risk, including aliens, agents, and the public. Their tactic of recruiting minors to do their dirty work is especially dangerous, and it needs to stop.”
For updates, follow Chief of Tucson Sector on X at @USBPChiefTCA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection at @CBPArizona.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is described as America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency.
