A CBP officer uncovers a smuggling attempt involving paint buckets. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) |
SAN DIEGO ( KTLA) -- A 31-year-old Los Angeles man has been arrested for trying to smuggle an illegal immigrant into the country by hiding him under a bunch of buckets filled with tools in the back of a pickup truck.
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer spotted the truck around 5:45 a.m. Wednesday at the San Ysidro port of entry.
A human/narcotic detector dog alerted the officer to the back of the pickup where several five-gallon paint buckets were strapped together and filled with supplies.
The officer removed tools from one of the buckets and saw a face staring back at him, officials said.
The face belonged to a 54-year-old Mexican citizen who had no legal ability to enter the U.S., CBP officials said.
The buckets had holes cut in them to conceal the man's body.
The man was expected to be returned to Mexico.
The unidentified driver was arrested and will face federal felony smuggling charges.
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer spotted the truck around 5:45 a.m. Wednesday at the San Ysidro port of entry.
A human/narcotic detector dog alerted the officer to the back of the pickup where several five-gallon paint buckets were strapped together and filled with supplies.
The officer removed tools from one of the buckets and saw a face staring back at him, officials said.
The face belonged to a 54-year-old Mexican citizen who had no legal ability to enter the U.S., CBP officials said.
The buckets had holes cut in them to conceal the man's body.
The man was expected to be returned to Mexico.
The unidentified driver was arrested and will face federal felony smuggling charges.
