9 Arrested After Driving Across Border, Crashing Van

A plan to cross the border into the U.S. was quickly halted by a cement barrier just 15 yards into the country, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Early Saturday morning, CBP officers said they saw a group of people climb over a fence just west of the San Ysidro Port of Entry in Mexico. After running east along Interstate 5, the suspects piled into a Dodge Caravan with California license plates parked south of the border in Mexico.

The driver sped off northbound in the southbound lanes of I-5, crossing into the U.S., the CBP said. But just 15 yards in, the van lost control and crashed into a cement barrier on the side of the freeway.

Some inside tried to run away, but nine men were ultimately taken into CBP custody. Only the driver was able to escape back into Mexico, according to officials.

Five of the suspects were taken to the hospital, but all have been released to the CBP. The nine men were Mexican citizens with no legal documents to enter the U.S., and everyone will be returned to Mexico, the CBP said.

The arrests were part of a busy holiday weekend for border officers. Between Friday and Monday, they apprehended another 25 fugitives wanted for outstanding felony warrants and seized more than 2,000 pounds of marijuana, 257 pounds of methamphetamine, 170 pounds of cocaine and 18 pounds of heroin, according to the CBP.

Contact Us