TUCSON – Willcox Station Border Patrol agents assigned to the State Route 80 immigration checkpoint near Tombstone apprehended two United States citizens caught smuggling two Mexican nationals in the trunk of a vehicle.
A Border Patrol canine alerted agents to a 2009 Chevy Cobalt as it approached the primary inspection lane. The vehicle was referred for a secondary inspection, where agents discovered two adult men locked in the trunk.
The female driver and male passenger, both U.S. citizens, face prosecution for smuggling while the two Mexican nationals are pending removal proceedings for immigration violations.
Federal law allows agents to charge individuals by complaint, a method that allows the filing of charges for criminal activity without inferring guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless and until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
CBP welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. All calls will be answered and remain anonymous.
