see also: in February 2007 News Releases:   Border Officers Respond To Medical Emergency   Federal Authorities Seize Narcotics Valued at More Than $15 Million in Caribbean   Spring Breakers: Get Your Passports Now   CBP Seizes 403 Pounds of Undeclared Cheese, Two Vehicles at Colombia-Solidarity Bridge   U.S.-Canada Trusted Air Traveler Program Expands   CBP Border Patrol Agents Rescue 56 Aliens from Truck   ACE Mandated for E-manifest Filing at Border Ports in Michigan and New York ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Calexico, CA. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers conducting border security inspections at the Calexico port of entry arrested a Mexican man after he allegedly attempted to smuggle two Chinese men into the United States in the engine compartment of the vehicle he was driving, officials announced today.

CBP officers encountered the driver, a 28-year old resident of Brawley, as he entered the downtown port on Thursday, February 15 at about 4a.m. driving a burgundy 1989 Chevrolet pickup truck. The driver, upon presenting his valid permanent resident card to the officer appeared nervous and was referred for a more in-depth inspection.

During the secondary inspection, CBP officers discovered two men lying in non-factory compartments on either side of the engine. CBP officers were able to safely remove them.

The men, ages 19 and 32, are both citizens of the People's Republic of China, are being held by CBP, and will be material witnesses in the prosecution case.

The driver was advised of his rights, charged with alien smuggling, and was transported to the Imperial County jail. The vehicle was seized by CBP.

CBP officials released a news release last week of a similar incident that occurred at the downtown port on Saturday, February 3. CBP officers arrested the driver, a 53-year old U.S. citizen from Desert Hot Springs at about 10am after he allegedly attempted to smuggle a forty year old Chinese male in the dashboard of a 1999 Mercury able. Officers had to tear the dashboard apart to free the man.

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2007, CBP officers at the Calexico ports of entry have apprehended over 1,800 undocumented migrants, an increase of 12 percent from the same period last year. The fiscal year began October 1, 2006.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.