T UCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested two U.S. citizens attempting to smuggle seven illegal aliens near Sasabe, Arizona, Tuesday.

At approximately 5 p.m., Tucson Sector agents conducted an immigration related traffic stop on a pickup truck driving on Arivaca-Sasabe Highway. The driver and passenger of the truck, both U.S. citizens, were found smuggling seven Mexican nationals illegally present in the United States.

Agents near Sasabe arrested

two alleged smugglers and seven

illegal aliens who were in the back

of a truck that was stopped

During the arrest, the vehicle’s passenger was discovered to have a variety of narcotics, including personal use amounts of heroin, methamphetamine and Oxycodone, as well as several syringes.

Agents seized the vehicle and narcotics. The U.S. citizen driver and passenger are facing federal human smuggling charges while the passenger is facing additional charges for drug possession. All seven Mexican nationals apprehended are facing federal immigration violations.

U.S. Border Patrol officials warn that placing humans in a vehicle’s trunk or bed can be extremely dangerous. The risks, including carbon monoxide poisoning and those posed by a vehicle collision, increase when people are hidden in compartments to avoid detection by law enforcement officials.

For more details regarding this news release, contact the Tucson Sector Public Affairs Office at tca-pao@cbp.dhs.gov or by phone at 520-748-3210. Tucson Sector is also LiveU capable. Contact us to schedule an interview.