U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Tohono O’odham Nation reservation in San Miguel have arrested two U.S. teenagers, three Guatemalan nationals, and a Mexican national for involvement in a human smuggling incident. The arrests occurred over the weekend following an attempt by the group to evade law enforcement.
On Friday evening, agents from the Three Points Border Patrol Station were alerted by detection technology about a silver 2005 Honda Civic driving south on Federal Route 19 towards the border before turning back north. Agents followed the vehicle and found it heavily laden, with records indicating it was registered in Phoenix, AZ. Smuggling organizations often recruit young drivers from Phoenix for such activities.
When agents attempted to stop the vehicle using emergency equipment, it initially halted but then tried to flee again with its trunk open. Two men wearing camouflage were seen trying to exit from the trunk during this time.
The pursuit led off-road through challenging terrain, causing significant damage to the vehicle. During this chase, agents observed that two men in the trunk were nearly ejected from the car. Eventually, the vehicle stopped approximately 100 yards from FR-19. The driver and passengers fled on foot after exiting.
Upon reaching the crashed car, agents found a three-year-old child lying face down on top of an adult female inside. The child had sustained a bloody nose due to reckless driving and lack of seatbelt use. Agents provided aid to both individuals.
An Air Marine Operations air asset assisted ground agents by locating and guiding them towards four fleeing subjects who were subsequently arrested.
All individuals involved were taken to a processing facility. The teenage driver and co-principal face charges of human smuggling with endangerment enhancements while other participants are charged with illegal entry and held as material witnesses.
"Follow the Chief of Tucson Sector on social media platform X at @USBPChiefTCA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection at @CBPArizonafor breaking news," advises CBP's statement.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection describes itself as "America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization" responsible for protecting borders across land, air, and sea while facilitating lawful travel and trade.
