Woman Arrested in San Luis for Alleged Child Smuggling
San Luis, Ariz. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the San Luis Port of Entry thwarted a child smuggling attempt and arrested a woman in connection with the incident. On April 29, at approximately 3 a.m., CBP officers encountered a 23-year-old female Mexican citizen and Legal Permanent Resident driving a 2013 Chevrolet sedan with a young child asleep in the back seat.
During inspection, the woman presented a U.S. birth certificate claiming to be the child's mother. However, officers noted the child's unusually deep sleep and apparent age discrepancy with the certificate. Further investigation revealed no familial relationship, and the birth certificate, though legitimate, did not belong to the child. The 5-year-old boy was a Mexican citizen without valid entry documents.
The woman admitted to sedating the child before the attempted crossing to avoid detection. Area Port Director Chris Leon stated, “Sedating children is a dangerous tactic used by smugglers. Our CBP officers are vigilant against these trends and committed to protecting children.”
Authorities seized the vehicle and transferred the woman to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. Charges are pending. It is important to note that an individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
CBP’s Office of Field Operations plays a crucial role in national security, screening all entries while facilitating legitimate travel and trade. Their responsibilities include narcotics interdiction, immigration and trade law enforcement, and protecting the nation's agriculture.