CA: Man arrested on suspicion of smuggling illegal immigrants

North County Times ^ | 10/7/06

[NormsRevenge]

SAN DIEGO - A man was in custody Saturday on suspicion of trying to smuggle two women across the San Ysidro border crossing concealed in a metal compartment attached to the bottom of an allegedly stolen car, authorities said.

Edward Gonzalez Amado, 42, tried to enter the country about 5:30 a.m. Thursday, said Angelica De Cima of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

A check of the license plate on the 1993 Mitsubishi Montero he was driving indicated the car had been reported stolen, she said.

Gonzalez Amado, who is an American citizen, was directed to a secondary inspection area but instead tried to drive back into Mexico through a northbound portal, De Cima said.

He drove over a Suzuki motorcycle, and the rider barely escaped injury by jumping into an inspection booth, De Cima said.

He abandoned the car and tried to run into Mexico but was caught by customs officers, De Cima said.

Officers examining the car found two illegal immigrant women, ages 45 and 34, with legs wrapped in blankets and duct tape, hiding inside a compartment attached beneath the Montero, De Cima said.

One woman, whose foot had been burned, was taken to a hospital for treatment. Both women were held as material witnesses, De Cima said.

The women are being held in an undisclosed location, pending his trial, De Cima said.

Investigators determined that Gonzalez Amado was wanted on a fugitive arrest warrant, De Cima said.

He was booked into the Metropolitan Correctional Center on suspicion of alien smuggling and endangerment, De Cima said.

[NormsRevenge]

Gonzalez Amado, who is an American citizen, was directed to a secondary inspection area but instead tried to drive back into Mexico through a northbound portal, De Cima said.

He drove over a Suzuki motorcycle, and the rider barely escaped injury by jumping into an inspection booth, De Cima said.

[stephenjohnbanker]

Monster!