BP: Woman hid migrant in trunk, tried driving around checkpoint

A foiled human smuggling attempt in southern Dona Ana County is shedding light on the dangers associated with human smuggling as temperatures rise.

Border Patrol Agents at the Las Cruces Immigration Checkpoint on I-10 were conducting routine inspections when they noticed a vehicle traveling north on Dona Ana County Road A005.

Agents suspected the vehicle circumvented the checkpoint and mobilized to conduct an immigration stop along the remote road.

Record checks conducted after the driver was pulled over, revealed the woman had been arrested for attempting to smuggle an undocumented migrant in Laredo, Texas back on May 11, 2017.

A Border Patrol canine team was then brought to the location, where the dog alerted the agents to the trunk of the vehicle.

An undocumented immigrant was allegedly hiding behind boxes and blankets inside the trunk, officials said. The 25-year-old Mexican national was deemed to be in good health, officials said.

The driver, 33-year-old Kristal De Jesus Guzman, was taken into custody and is facing charges in connection with the failed smuggling attempt.

Border Patrol says the incident serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by smuggling organizations as temperatures in the area rise.

Officials said agents are trained in emergency medical care and are on the lookout for migrants suffering from heat exhaustion.