Special agents apprehend fugitive human smuggler
Feb 3, 2018, 4:11 PM
(DHS Photo)
(DHS Photo)
PHOENIX — Federal agents arrested an 18-year-old southern Arizona man wanted in connection to a failed smuggling attempt Thursday night.
The foiled attempt occurred over the weekend when Nogales Station Border Patrol referred the driver of a sedan to a secondary inspection at the immigration checkpoint in Amado, Ariz. Before the second inspection could begin, the suspect took off in his vehicle, heading northbound.
After fleeing for several miles, the driver lost control of the car, crashing into a ditch. The federal agents were unable to locate the suspect, but did find two male Mexican nationals in the trunk of the sedan.
Less than four days later, the suspect was identified using the evidence left behind in the car and an arrest warrant was issued. The five-day search ended without incident.
The defendant made his first appearance before a judge on Friday. He has been charged with human smuggling.
His name was not released.
