More than 30 illegal aliens were busted after a human smuggler dumped them in the California desert and retreated back to Mexico, authorities say.
On Wednesday, U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) announced a significant recent bust in El Centro Sector.
Agents encountered a “modified utility truck” parked along the border wall near Ocotillo in Imperial County.
They found at least 31 illegals packed into the cargo hold and passenger area of the vehicle.
Smugglers packed 31 illegal aliens like cargo into a modified utility truck and hauled them through dangerous desert heat near Ocotillo, California.🌵🥵#ElCentroSector agents took the group into custody after the driver abandoned them and fled into Mexico, apparently thinking… pic.twitter.com/w2iy7KJ490
— El Centro Sector Border Patrol (@USBPChiefELC) September 16, 2026
The driver fled back across the border but was arrested arrested by Mexican police, “leaving the getaway driver to trade the steering wheel for a jail cell,” USBP says.
The illegal aliens were taken into custody and transported for processing.
On Tuesday, USBP Chief Rosario Vasquez shared details about another smuggling interception at the border.
Agents encountered nine illegals from Mexico and Cuba being driven into the U.S. at a checkpoint on US 385 in Big Bend National Park.
9 illegal aliens made entry from Mexico into Big Bend National Park in a vehicle; 9 illegal aliens were apprehended.
After crossing, seven Mexican nationals and two Cubans were apprehended by Big Bend Sector agents at a checkpoint on US Highway 385.#BigBend #BigBendNationalPark… pic.twitter.com/9kRDsrYsyC— Chief Rosario “Pete” Vasquez (@USBPChief) September 15, 2026
The Trump administration just announced 16 consecutive months of zero releases at U.S. borders, despite continued attempts to penetrate the frontier.
“Sixteen straight months of zero releases at the border proves that President Trump’s policies are working,” said DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
“Catch and release is over, consequences are back, and illegal crossings have fallen to historic lows. This is what a secure border looks like.”
