A Mexican national was taken to the hospital with burn injuries after United States Customs and Border Protection agents found him concealed inside a modified gas tank during a vehicle inspection at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.
The incident occurred about 7:30 p.m. on February 27, when officers encountered a 20-year-old man driving a 2005 GMC SUV. During an initial inspection, a CBP canine team alerted to the vehicle’s undercarriage. Officers directed the SUV to a secondary inspection area, where they discovered an individual hidden inside a non-factory compartment built into the vehicle’s gas tank.
Emergency personnel transported the person, identified as a Mexican national, to Scripps Mercy Hospital in Chula Vista for treatment of burn injuries sustained during the smuggling attempt. “This case underscores the dangerous and inhumane tactics employed by smugglers who prioritize profit over human lives. Thanks to the vigilance and professionalism of U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, this individual was located and removed from a life-threatening situation, subsequently receiving the medical attention they needed,” San Ysidro Port Director Mariza Marin said.
The driver was arrested and booked into the Metropolitan Correctional Center in San Diego. Authorities did not release the identities of those involved.
The case highlights the extreme dangers migrants face when attempting to cross the border through smuggling operations. Being concealed in a modified fuel tank exposes individuals to toxic fumes, extreme temperatures, and potential burns from hot metal components, creating life-threatening conditions that can cause serious injury or death.
