Three people were found tied to the border fence west of Nogales after reportedly being threatened by drug smugglers.Β
Santa Cruz County Sheriff's deputies responded to a 911 call from the Potrero Canyon area, a common smuggling corridor west of the Mariposa Port of Entry,Β around 1 a.m. Friday.
The call came from three males, all Mexican nationals ranging in age from 14 years old to mid-20s, who were found tied to the border fence on the United States side, said Sheriff Tony Estrada.
The three males told deputies they were headed to the border fence to enter the United States illegally when they were confronted by several men, at least one of whom was armed, Estrada said.Β
They were ordered to carry drugs across the border, but they refused, Estrada said, adding the refusal was "pretty courageous of them."
The smugglers then tied them to the fence in apparent retaliation, he said.Β
By the time deputies and Border Patrol agents arrived, at least one of them had managed to untie himself, Estrada said.
The men were unharmed and were taken into custody by the Border Patrol, he said.
A Border Patrol spokesman declined to provide information on the incident, saying the investigation was ongoing.Β
Estrada said he did not know how high up on the roughly 20-foot fence they were tied.Β
The incident was a first for Estrada, who has spent more than 40 years in law enforcement in Santa Cruz County.
"Tying people to the fence. That's a new one," he said.Β
