Crime & Safety
Woman Arrested in Alleged Human Smuggling Incident at Pine Valley Checkpoint
Two male Mexican nationals were allegedly found lying the truck of the car she was driving.
Pine Valley, CA — A 31-year-old woman was arrested early Thursday by U.S. Border Patrol agents after she allegedly attempted to smuggle two foreign nationals through the Border Patrol checkpoint on Interstate 8 near Pine Valley.
According to a news release, agents encountered the woman at about 3 a.m. as she arrived at the checkpoint driving a 2012 Kia Optima sedan. After interviewing the woman, they searched her vehicle and discovered two male Mexican nationals laying down inside the trunk.
The agents arrested the men, who were in the U.S. illegally.
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The driver was also arrested and is currently facing federal human smuggling charges, according to the news release.
"Campo Station agents did an outstanding job detecting this human smuggling case leading to the rescue of two individuals and now the driver faces criminal prosecution," said Patrol Agent in Charge, David BeMiller.
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From Oct. 1, 2015, to May 31, Border Patrol agents in the San Diego Sector apprehended 20,782 people.
(Photo/U.S. Border Patrol, San Diego Sector)
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