On Tuesday, December 24, five individuals were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking in San Diego County.
Around 7:35 on Tuesday morning, the US Border Patrol in the San Diego area received a report that a suspicious vehicle had been discovered near Otay Lakes, indicating a possible human trafficking incident.
Michael J. Scappechio, a spokesperson for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), stated in a release that the suspicious vehicle was seen heading towards an apartment building on Rosedale Drive in Spring Valley, with several passengers disembarking and attempting to flee on foot. Border patrol agents at the scene reported hearing what sounded like gunshots shortly after the passengers got off the vehicle.
After a brief search, border patrol agents detained five individuals. Four of them were suspected to be undocumented immigrants, while one was a US citizen believed to be driving the vehicle. The identities of these five individuals have not been disclosed by the Border Patrol.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department clarified that initial reports of a helicopter hovering over the Spring Valley apartment complex following the law enforcement-related shooting were inaccurate. Scappechio confirmed that no shots were fired by law enforcement personnel at the scene. CBP officials stated that no weapons were found at the scene, casting doubt on the reported gunshot situation.
The Border Patrol impounded the suspects’ vehicle.