Man with group near border drainage ditch arrested on suspicion of smuggling (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Man with group near border drainage ditch arrested on suspicion of smuggling
UNION-TRIBUNE

5:46 p.m. February 17, 2009

SAN YSIDRO – Border Patrol agents announced Tuesday the arrest of a 50-year-old man on suspicion of smuggling after finding him and four other illegal immigrants near a drainage ditch along the international border.

The group was spotted about 5 a.m. Monday near the International Wastewater Treatment Plant on Dairy Mart Road. The group jumped the border fence and the alleged smuggler led them down a 30-foot storm drain and then through a drainage tube to enter the United States, agents said. The drainage system was partially filled with water from recent rains.

A 28-year-old Mexican who injured his ankle jumping into the storm drain was left behind, agents said.

The group of illegal immigrants will likely be deported, while the suspected smuggler is in federal custody and faces criminal charges.