Customs and Border Protection stops smuggling attempts

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry arrested three suspects on Saturday in a failed smuggling attempt on March 1.

A Canadian citizen, Leszek Budzyna, was charged with attempted alien smuggling and making false statements to officials. Two Polish citizens, Jerzy Madej and Monika Gondek, were charged with eluding examination and inspection by immigration officials.

“This was an outstanding job by our front line officers,” Acting Port Director Cary Frieling said. “Our officers possess keen observational skills, and in this case, they were able to determine that this truck required further inspection. Human smuggling is a serious violation of U.S. law, and prevention of such violations is part of CBP’s mission.”

A second smuggling attempt was thwarted by officials at the Calexico East port when officials discovered a man concealed in a compartment in the gas tank of a SUV. The discovery was made using the port’s imaging system and found anomalies in the vehicle’s gas tank under the rear seats. The concealed man had no legal ability to enter the United States, while the driver, a resident of Calexico, was arrested and will face charges related to the incident.

In FY 2014, CBP officers apprehended more than 33,000 people attempting to enter the country illegally along the California-Mexico border.