SAN CLEMENTE – Border Patrol agents assigned to the San Clemente Border Patrol Station Checkpoint prevented a suspected incident of child trafficking Friday, March 3.
The incident occurred at approximately 1:40 a.m. when agents referred a vehicle containing a man and an infant to the secondary inspection area. Agents conducted an immigration inspection and questioned the driver. The driver said he picked up the infant in Otay Mesa and did not know the child’s name or where he was taking the child.
Child Protective Services was contacted and took custody of the child. The case has been turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation.
“Due to the vigilance of our agents, we were able to prevent this child from being trafficked and potentially exploited,” San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Aaron M. Heitke said.
To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on corridors of egress away from the nation’s borders. To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at 619-498-9900.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the comprehensive management, control and protection of the nation’s borders, combining customs, immigration, border security and agricultural protection at and between official ports of entry.
Submitted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
