Posted by AP February 21, 2005
Citizen "Tip" Nets 43 Illegal
Aliens
U-Haul Truck found transporting illegal aliens
Tucson, AZ -- On February 19, 2005, Border Patrol Agents received information that resulted in 43 illegal aliens being arrested near Douglas.
At approximately 6:30 p.m., Border Patrol Agents assigned to the Douglas Station received information to be on a "lookout" for a U-Haul type vehicle possibly transporting illegal aliens on Highway 191. At approximately 11:00 p.m. that night, agents observed a U-Haul truck traveling north on Highway 191 near mile-marker 25. Agents pulled the U-Haul truck over at the intersection of Highway 191 and Webb Rd.
As the truck came to a stop, the driver and front seat passenger exited the truck and ran into the desert. Agents gave chase and apprehended the passenger, an illegal aliens from Mexico, a short distance away. The driver avoided arrest.
Concealed in the cargo compartment of the U-Haul truck, agents discovered an additional 42 illegal aliens from Mexico. The group was comprised of men, women and children. All 42 illegal aliens appeared to be in good health, although the only ventilation provided for the group was a 3-inch hole in the sheet metal roof of the truck.
All illegal aliens were transported to the Douglas Station, processed and repatriated to Mexico, including the front seat passenger who was not implicated in any alien smuggling activities. The U-Haul was commercially stored by a local towing company.
"This incident could have very easily ended up in a tragedy", said Douglas Patrol Agent in Charge Victor Manjarrez, "It is very possible that the small 'ventilation hole' would not have been adequate to sustain the illegal alien 's journey from Douglas to Phoenix."
Since October 1, 2004, agents in the Tucson Sector have apprehended 143,799 illegal aliens attempting to enter the country illegally. The apprehensions mark a 9% increase over the same time period last year.
The Border Patrol is a division of the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, a new agency within the Department of Homeland Security, responsible for managing and securing our nation's borders.
