Border Patrol agents stop human smuggling operation near Santa Teresa

Border Patrol agents in the El Paso Sector arrested two U.S. citizens accused of smuggling four undocumented immigrants into the country Monday afternoon.

On April 23, 2018, agents were following footprints south of NM Highway 9, which borders the area between the “Deming and Santa Teresa areas of responsibility.”

Agency officials said the area is frequently utilized for human smuggling. Agents, working in conjunction with Custom and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations, observed a 2007 GMC Envoy directly north of the area and conducted an immigration stop.

Agents allegedly discovered four passengers who “admitted to having entered the country illegally.”

The driver and a 45-year-old passenger, Juan Ramon Palacios, were arrested on suspicion of “alien smuggling,” the Border Patrol said in a news release. Customs and Border Protection did not identify the driver.

The four undocumented immigrants were attempting to conceal themselves. “Two were lying down in the rear seat. The other two were lying down in the rear compartment of the vehicle,” the Border Patrol said.

When the agents questioned the undocumented immigrants, they stated they were citizens of Mexico, not in possession of any documents allowing them to be in the United States legally.

The vehicle and all six subjects were transported to the Santa Teresa Border Patrol Station for processing and will be charged accordingly.