July 30, 2009
NOGALES, Ariz. - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has launched a criminal investigation into the circumstances leading up to the stop last night of a refrigerated tractor trailer truck outside of Nogales, Ariz., carrying 97 smuggled aliens, including children and at least one pregnant woman. The truck was pulled over for an equipment violation at approximately 9:00 p.m. by an officer with the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS). The stop came after DPS received a tip from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The stop was made at the 24 kilometer marker on I-19 north of the city.
After the driver was taken into custody for a misdemeanor warrant, the officer discovered 97 illegal aliens, including adults and children, in the trailer which was being kept at 34 degrees. The children ranged in age from 9 to 12. The trailer was also carrying a load of produce.
"This is another great example of the cooperation and ability to work together that exists in Arizona between state, local and federal law enforcement," said Roger Vanderpool, director of DPS. "We can do a lot more than one agency working by itself. Let me take this opportunity to congratulate our officer for an excellent job."
"This is yet another frightening example of the callous disregard human smugglers have for those who entrust their lives to them," said Matthew Allen, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Arizona. "These people were treated like cargo. They were crammed inside this truck and subjected to near freezing temperatures. Fortunately, due to the swift action of the law enforcement agencies involved, none of these people came to any harm."
CBP Border Patrol and ICE responded to the DPS officer's call and took control of the truck/trailer and custody of the undocumented aliens.
The smuggled aliens from Mexico and Guatemala found inside the trailer were transported to the Nogales Border Patrol station to be interviewed by ICE and Border Patrol agents. All of the aliens will be processed for return to their native countries. ICE has opened a formal criminal investigation into the smuggling scheme and is coordinating closely with the U.S. Attorney's Office on the case.
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http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0907/090730nogales.htm
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