IMPERIAL --- Four suspected smugglers face charges following their arrest over the weekend for allegedly trying to fly undocumented immigrants in two separate incidents.
Six Mexican nationals who were here illegally Saturday were caught by U.S. Border Patrol authorities at the Imperial County Airport trying to board a commuter plane, a press statement issued Tuesday read.
A male U.S. citizen who was not identified but determined to be the pilot was arrested along with a couple who authorities think took the undocumented immigrants to the airport, officials said in their statement.
Border Patrol agents encountered a second group of undocumented immigrants later Saturday night. The pilot, also from the U.S., was arrested on suspicion of trying to smuggle the group of Mexican nationals, the press release read.
A total of 12 undocumented immigrants had been arrested during the incidents. Authorities seized three vehicles and two aircraft, authorities said. A total of five aircraft have been seized by the El Centro Sector Border Patrol since fiscal year 2010, the Border Patrol reported.
