A Tucson couple who fled from the Border Patrol checkpoint on Interstate 19 south of Tucson this week are accused of smuggling migrants in the trunk of a sedan, officials say.
Agents referred the driver of a Chrysler 300 for additional screening at the checkpoint after a Border Patrol dog alerted to the vehicle, a news release says.
The driver instead raced off but was stopped a few miles away.
Agents say they found a Mexican migrant in the back seat of the car and four more in the trunk, the news release said.
The driver, a 36-year-old woman and US citizen, and a 28-year-old man who was a passenger were apprehended on suspicion of smuggling. The five Mexican nationals, who ranged in age from 15 to 36, were processed for immigration violation, the release said.
