Man wearing fake Border Patrol uniform arrested for attempting to smuggle migrants into Arizona
Suspect tried to fool agents by attempting to pose as one
TUCSON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY/AP) - Agents say they arrested a man wearing a fake U.S. Border Patrol uniform and driving a bogus patrol vehicle in southern Arizona, after attempting to smuggle migrants into America on Tuesday.
Tucson Sector authorities confirm he had ten undocumented individuals hiding in the vehicle.
Homeland Security Investigations, along with Border Patrol, arrested the driver and 10 migrants near Tucson.
This is not a Border Patrol vehicle. @HSIPhoenix and #BorderPatrol agents from #Tucson Station foiled a smuggling attempt using a cloned vehicle and a fake uniform. The driver and 10 migrants were taken into custody. pic.twitter.com/tpl4cLkUhE
— John R. Modlin (@USBPChiefTCA) August 24, 2021
John Modlin, interim Chief Patrol Agent of the Tucson Sector, says the disguised car was a cloned replica, made to look like the vehicles Border Patrol uses. He also confirms the driver was also attempting to disguise himself as an agent.
Agents did not immediately release e name, age and nationality of the driver wasn’t immediately released Tuesday.