U.S. Trucker Arrested After Mexican Nationals Found Inside of Big Rig

Tucson, AZ – A U.S. trucker was arrested and will face prosecution for human smuggling after seven illegal immigrants were discovered inside of his tractor-trailer last week.

According to U.S. Border Patrol, a canine alerted to a white Freightliner hauling a refrigerated trailer at the I-19 immigration checkpoint near Ajo and Nogales in the early morning hours of Thursday, August 8.

The big rig was referred for a secondary inspection, according to officials.

Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents then discovered seven illegal aliens, each Mexican nationals, inside the padlocked trailer.

Officials say each person was in “good condition.”

The driver was arrested and agents seized the truck, according to authorities.

The Mexican nationals will be processed for immigration violations, U.S. Border Patrol confirmed.

This is the second big rig human smuggling bust so far this month.

On August 2, a U.S. truck driver, along with five Mexican nationals, were arrested at an immigration checkpoint in Laredo, TX.

Laredo Border Patrol agents reported all five people were discovered in the sleeper of the semi upon a secondary inspection.

These incidents are just the latest in an on-going crisis at the border involving human smuggling inside of big rigs.