Border Patrol agents have stopped 42 human smuggling attempts, rescuing 406 illegal immigrants, over the last two months. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection photo)U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents have thwarted 42 smuggling attempts involving tractor-trailers at the Mexican border in the last two months, rescuing 406 people from trailers with rising temperatures, according to a recent press release from the agency.
Most recently, Border Patrol agents arrested nine U.S. citizens for smuggling 64 illegal immigrants in five separate incidents last weekend.
“In addition to securing and protecting our nation’s borders, frontline Border Patrol agents are committed to reducing heat-related injuries and preventing deaths along our borders,” said U.S. Border Patrol Acting Chief Carla L. Provost. “These rescues are a result of stepped-up enforcement at our immigration checkpoints coupled with our search and rescue efforts that are key to preventing unnecessary loss of life.”
On June 30, agents arrested an adult female for attempting to smuggle 10 immigrants through a Border Patrol checkpoint. The 10 individuals were found in the sleeper berth of a truck. That same day, two women driving a box truck were arrested for smuggling seven illegal immigrants, who were concealed and locked inside the truck. Two more men were arrested later that day for attempting to smuggling 21 people concealed inside a box truck.
CBP says on July 1, agents arrested two individuals for trying to smuggle 14 immigrants past Border Patrol in the sleeper compartment of a truck. Then, later that day, two more people were arrested for smuggling 12 people locked inside the trailer of an 18-wheeler.
