U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Yuma Sector Special Operations Detachment arrested three U.S. citizens and detained nine Mexican nationals in two separate incidents this week.

At about 6:30 p.m. Monday , five subjects illegally crossed the International Border west of the Buttercup Sand Dunes in Imperial County. They were seen getting into a vehicle being driven by a 33-year old man , a U.S. citizen. Agents stopped the vehicle and arrested all six. The driver was charged with human smuggling and the others , ranging in age from 16 to 27 , were charged with illegal entry into the United States.

At about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday , four subjects illegally crossed into the United States in the same area. They were observed getting into a vehicle on the U.S. side of the border. Agents stopped the vehicle and arrested the driver , a U.S. citizen , and the four Mexican nationals who had snuck across the border.