Santa Ana man arrested in smuggling case

A Santa Ana man was arrested by federal officers after allegedly squeezing two illegal immigrants into compartments in his car and trying to cross the U.S. border from Mexico, authorities said Wednesday.

The man, a U.S. citizen, was taken into custody Saturday at the Otay-Mesa Port of Entry east of San Diego and booked on smuggling charges, the Department of Homeland Security said. His name was not released.

The two immigrants, from Mexico, were hidden in the compartments between the front wheel and front doors of the black Mercedes-Benz, the Homeland Security Department said.

One immigrant, a 26-year-old woman, was unconscious when she was pulled out of the space.  She was revived by rescuers at the scene and was treated for a 4-inch burn on her leg.

A 39-year-old man was stuck in a fetal position in the other space and unable to move when he was found by federal officers. He was sweating profusely and needed help standing, the department said.

The immigrants were found by a detector dog. They were being held as material witnesses in the case.

--Robert J. Lopez

Photo: Compartment where one of the immigrants was allegedly smuggled. Credit: Department of Homeland Security.

Comments

[Figure Roa]

They were just doing the work amerikans wont do.

[Tara Murphy]

Hopefully the two will call home and say, "don't bother, the trip isn't as easy as it used to be".

[TEMPSone]

mrs...murphy...thats a human ur talking about....how sad!!!
why r people so discriminating towards latin america?when the media anounces catastrophy's in other countries every hipocrite decides their gonna help,only to make themselves feel better though. but let the media report something like this..and in come the pigs with their selfish comments....stop and put yourself in their shoes.what would make u cram into a car,in a space not designed for you to ride in?dont forget that this is a country of IMIGRANTS,

[D. Wilson]

What makes people desperate enough to come here that they would leave their homes and families behind, jam themselves into the interior of an MB and live a life in the shadows over here? We have to rethink the way our economy and immigration system works. Enforcement alone just doesn't cut it.

[Tom, Long Beach, California]

figure roa, don't justify this as it is ruining this state......

[pro illegals are morons]

To all those support illegal immigrants:

Your justification of legalzing them are idiotic. Yes they do pay sales tax and buy consumer goods but it doesn't equal the amount of money we pay for them. Do the math. 2 kids $7000 a year for each student, medicare, $foodstamps,etc. etc. Do you think that they pay $10,000 in sales taxes or federal tax. Also Joe Mander, please don't ever write on a blog because ur ignorance might be contagious. There wasn't any mexican indians in the U.S. The Aztecs never conquere north of the border. Also for those that state that the the only people who belong in the U.S or Native Amercans never mentions the fact that they too migrated from another land (Remember the Bering Strait). To all those that say that they are only trying to find a better life are morons. Drug dealers are tryng to have a better life too. Should we just let them continue selling so that they too can have the American Dream. All you people who call us haters are probably don't pay much taxes and don't care where the money goes. Since you care so much for humanity then how many of you have volunteered at homeless shelters, gven money to charities to help our own poverty strucken citizens. If you are all tired of just talkng then lets start a facebook, myspace, or a website where we can organize something. Stop all this talking and take action!