NOGALES, Ariz, United States
The driver, Luis Antonio Mendoza, 26, of Fresno, Calif. The complaint alleges Mendoza told ICE agents he knew the illegal aliens were in the trailer. He further stated he was to transport the aliens to Eloy, Ariz., were they would be transferred to a different vehicle. According to the complaint, Mendoza said he thought there were only 15 people in the trailer and he expected to be paid $300 per person for transporting them. Material witnesses say they made arrangements in Nogales, Mexico, to be smuggled into the United States and were each to pay the smugglers up to $3,000, with Phoenix being their final destination.
Location
United States · NOGALES, Ariz · 2009 (location generalized to protect survivors)
Response & intervention
Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) Nogales Border Patrol ICE
All the aliens, except those designated as witnesses, were processed for return to their native countries. ICE has opened a formal criminal investigation into the smuggling scheme, and is coordinating closely with the U.S. Attorney's Office on the case.
Documented on the original SlaveryMap (2008–2016). We don't have a verifiable source on file yet — use “Report a problem” below to add one.