(Suspected Human Smugglers)….They were arrested late last week.

El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Indio Station arrested two individuals trying to smuggle nine undocumented immigrants, hiding in the bed of their tractor/trailer. The incident occurred at 8:45 pm, when a white 2007 Freightliner approached the Highway 86 Checkpoint. The Border Patrol agent questioned the driver and passenger as to their immigration status. During the questioning, a canine inspection team alerted to the rear cargo ar4ea of the trailer. The rig and occupants were sent to the secondary inspection area. Once there, agents found the nine undocumented immigrants in the trailer, unsecured, which means no safety. They were locked inside, making it impossible to get out without help. The male driver, a lawfully admitted permanent resident, and the female passenger, a US citizen and all nine of the undocumented immigrants were taken into custody. The driver and passenger were charged with alien smuggling. The other 9 were processed for illegal entry.