2 Human-Smuggling Incidents Intercepted at Pine Valley Checkpoint

PINE VALLEY, CA: Border Patrol agents arrested three people Wednesday night in two separate human-smuggling incidents at the Pine Valley checkpoint on Interstate 8 in East County San Diego.

According to a news release, the first incident took place about 9 p.m. as agents patrolling near Campo spotted a person suspected of illegally entering the U.S. from Mexico. The agents observed the individual get into a 1986 Mercedes-Benz sedan that was traveling on State Route 94. The agents followed the vehicle as it traveled toward the Border Patrol checkpoint near Pine Valley.

Upon arrival at the checkpoint, agents referred the 38-year-old male driver of the Mercedes-Benz to an inspection area and discovered a 44-year-old male Mexican national allegedly locked inside the trunk of the sedan.

Agents arrested the driver, who also was allegedly found to be in possession of a small amount of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

"This is yet another prime example of the smugglers’ callous disregard for human life and highlights our enforcement efforts to mitigate this threat," said El Cajon Station Patrol Agent in Charge Mark Moody.

The second smuggling apprehension occurred shortly after midnight, when a 2015 Kia Optima occupied by a 19-year-old female driver and 28-year-old male passenger arrived at the Pine Valley checkpoint for inspection. During the inspection, agents searched the vehicle and allegedly discovered two male Mexican nationals locked inside the trunk of the car.

Both the driver and the passenger were arrested on suspicion of human smuggling.

"Agents did a fantastic job detecting two separate human-smuggling cases, leading to the rescue of three individuals and the drivers now face criminal prosecution," said Campo Patrol Agent in Charge David BeMiller.

Photo: Shutterstock