Concealed Migrants Found in Three Separate Incidents Require Medical Attention

CALEXICO, CA.— U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Calexico ports of entry intercepted three smuggled migrants who required medical attention at an area hospital after they were discovered hidden in vehicles in separate incidents within two days, officials announced. These attempts highlight the dangers involved with being smuggled in a hidden compartment in the Imperial County where temperatures soar over 100 degrees.

The first incident occurred on Wednesday at the downtown Calexico border station at about 4:30 p.m. when CBP officers encountered a 59-year old Mexicali man as he entered the port driving a white1987 Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck. CBP officers noticed the driver was nervous and referred him to the secondary lot for an in-depth examination.

During the secondary inspection, CBP officers discovered a non-factory metal compartment welded to the undercarriage of the vehicle inside of which an undocumented female was hidden.

The second incident on Wednesday occurred at about 10:30 p.m. at the downtown port when a 55-year old Calexico man attempted to smuggle a pregnant female into the U.S. in the trunk of the red Nissan 240SX he was driving. The primary officer inspected the vehicle and encountered a woman in the trunk. Both occupants were escorted to the secondary area for further processing.

The third incident occurred at about 2:00 p.m. on Thursday when a 22-year old male U.S. citizen residing in Mexicali entered the Calexico East port driving a Nissan Sentra with two undocumented migrants in the trunk. The outside temperature was 108 degrees when CBP officers removed the male and female migrants from the vehicle. CBP MFRT assisted the female migrant who was then transported to a local hospital for further treatment.