U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) arrested nine Americans for smuggling and endangering 64 illegal aliens over the weekend at the Arizona border.
The smugglers endangered the lives of those trapped in tractor trailers in crippling heat, reported the CBP on Thursday. Temperatures reached as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit between June 30 and July 1, according to data from The Weather Channel.
Three incidents occurred on June 30 and two on July 1. (RELATED: Texas Border Patrol Captures 20 Illegal Aliens)
Several of the smuggled individuals were found in sleeper cabs of trucks, sometimes stashed with drugs. Some of the people were locked inside of boxcars and others were found “hiding behind stacks of tires,” according to the federal law enforcement agency.
Border patrol has cracked down on border protection during the summer months to prevent heat related injuries and death.
“In addition to securing and protecting our nation’s borders, frontline [sic] Border Patrol agents are committed to reducing heat-related injuries and preventing deaths along our borders,” said U.S. Border Patrol Acting Chief Carla L. Provost in the press release. “These rescues are a result of stepped-up enforcement at our immigration checkpoints coupled with our search and rescue efforts that are key to preventing unnecessary loss of life.”
In the past two months, CBP rescued over 400 people from heat related deaths. All of the smugglers face prosecution by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
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