IV Post

CBP officers encountered the driver, a 27-year old resident of Mexicali, as he entered the downtown port yesterday, at about 4:30 p.m. driving a 1997 Ford F-250 pick-up truck. The driver presented his valid border crossing card to the primary officer but after questioning, the officer discovered discrepancies with the driver’s responses and referred the driver to secondary for a more in-depth inspection.

During the secondary inspection, officers opened the hood of the truck and found two women lying in fetal position on both sides of the engine. The women were wearing boots which were burned from the extreme heat within the engine compartment. Officers immediately removed the females from the engine compartment.

Both women, ages 32 and 31, were provided medical attention by emergency medical service personnel and were transported to an area hospital where they received treatment for first degree burns on their feet and legs. The females were subsequently released to the custody of CBP officers and were transported back to the port. Both women are citizens of Mexico and will be held by CBP as material witnesses in the prosecution case.

The driver was advised of his rights, charged with alien smuggling and transported to the Imperial County jail. The vehicle was seized by CBP.