CALEXICO, CA. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Calexico ports of entry intercepted three smuggled migrants who required medical attention at an area hospital after they were discovered hidden in vehicles in separate incidents within two days, officials announced. These attempts highlight the dangers involved with being smuggled in a hidden compartment in the Imperial County where temperatures soar over 100 degrees.

The first incident occurred on Wednesday at the downtown Calexico border station at about 4:30 p.m. when CBP officers encountered a 59-year old Mexicali man as he entered the port driving a white1987 Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck. CBP officers noticed the driver was nervous and referred him to the secondary lot for an in-depth examination.

During the secondary inspection, CBP officers discovered a non-factory metal compartment welded to the undercarriage of the vehicle inside of which an undocumented female was hidden. After she was safely removed, CBP officers noticed she had suffered burns and scratches requiring medical attention. A CBP officer trained as a medical first responder (MFRT) attended to the undocumented migrant until paramedics arrived, who then transported her to an area hospital for further treatment.

The female, a 30-year old Mexican national was treated for first degree burns and returned to the port. She will be a material witness for the prosecution case.

The driver was arrested, charged with alien smuggling and transported to the Imperial County jail. The vehicle was seized by CBP.

The second incident on Wednesday occurred at about 10:30 p.m. at the downtown port when a 55-year old Calexico man attempted to smuggle a pregnant female into the U.S. in the trunk of the red Nissan 240SX he was driving. The primary officer inspected the vehicle and encountered a woman in the trunk. Both occupants were escorted to the secondary area for further processing.

In the secondary area, the undocumented migrant stated she was experiencing abdominal pain. A CBP MFRT responded to assist her while paramedics arrived who then transported her to a local hospital for further treatment.

The pregnant female, a 27-year old Mexican national, was treated and returned to the port. She will be a material witness for the prosecution case.

The driver was arrested, charged with alien smuggling and transported to the Imperial County jail. The vehicle was seized by CBP.

The third incident occurred at about 2:00 p.m. on Thursday when a 22-year old male U.S. citizen residing in Mexicali entered the Calexico East port driving a Nissan Sentra with two undocumented migrants in the trunk. The outside temperature was 108 degrees when CBP officers removed the male and female migrants from the vehicle. CBP MFRT assisted the female migrant who was then transported to a local hospital for further treatment.

Both undocumented migrants, who are Mexican nationals, will be retained as material witnesses for the prosecution case. The driver was transported to the Imperial County jail.

We strongly urge undocumented migrants not to risk their lives or the lives of their loved ones by paying a smuggler to conceal them in a hidden compartment, especially during the hot summer months, said Calexico Port Director Bonnie Lemert. Some have required medical assistance and its not worth the potentially lethal outcome.

Last week, CBP officials distributed a news release expressing concerns for the safety of people hidden within vehicles and the dangers this presents as they attempt to illegally enter the U.S.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control, and protection of our Nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

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