Three men found crammed in secret SUV compartment at border crossing, feds say

Three men were found hidden in a “specially built” cargo compartment of a vehicle attempting to enter the U.S., border officials said in a news release.

The men were discovered at around 11 a.m. on April 1, when a 29-year-old man applied for entry through the San Ysidro port near San Diego. An officer with U.S. Customs and Border Protection noticed that there was a person inside the spare tire compartment in the back of the vehicle, leading agents to inspect the vehicle further, the release said.

During that inspection, officers “found a non-factory compartment” in the SUV with three men inside. Agents said the compartment did not have easy access for people to get out without help.

The men — ages 29, 24 and 21 — were taken to another location for further processing. CBP officers seized the vehicle and will return the men to Mexico, the release said.

This story was originally published April 7, 2022 at 10:45 AM with the headline "Three men found crammed in secret SUV compartment at border crossing, feds say."