2 U.S. Citizens Arrested When Mexican National Found in Trunk: Border Patrol

PINE VALLEY, CA: Two men are facing human smuggling charges after San Diego Sector U.S. Border Patrol agents found a Mexican national locked in the trunk of their car.

The discovery was made about 9:15 p.m. Wednesday at the Pine Valley checkpoint on Interstate 8 when agents requested that the driver of a black Chrysler 300 go through secondary inspection, according to a news release.

"Asking the 30-year-old male driver and his 33-year-old male passenger to step out of the vehicle, agents conducted an inspection of the vehicle and found a man who was locked inside the car’s small trunk," a Border Patrol spokesperson stated.

As agents were checking to see if the man needed medical attention, he reportedly admitted he was a Mexican national and was illegally in the United States.

The three men — whose identities were not provided— were taken into custody.

Border Patrol agents seized the vehicle.

"Outstanding team work by Campo Border Patrol Agents led to the arrest of these ruthless human smugglers and now they face criminal prosecution," said David BeMiller, patrol agent in charge of the Campo Station.

In fiscal year 2015, San Diego Sector recorded 53 human smuggling events and rescued 105 people.

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(The photos accompanying this article were provided by U.S. Border Patrol)