USBP: 16 undocumented immigrants found in two smuggling attempts
EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - 16 undocumented immigrants were found in two smuggling attempts on Wednesday night.
U.S. Border Patrol said the first incident happened around 9:15 p.m. Agents pulled over a white GMC Sierra cargo van in El Centro after suspecting the vehicle of potential smuggling. Agents said they conducted the stop one mile from Interstate 8 and Bonds Corner Road.
Agents found 14 individuals inside the vehicle. They took all the individuals and the 55-year-old driver to the station to be processed. The driver faces human smuggling charges, and all 14 individuals were sent back to Mexico.
The second incident happened about an hour later on Highway 98. Agents said they pulled over a silver Kia Rondo after being suspected of human smuggling. When they searched the vehicle, they found two individuals locked inside the vehicle.
They seized the vehicle and processed all individuals accordingly.