Mexicans Were To Pay $2,500 Each To Get Past Checkpoints

US Border Patrol officials say it's common to see light planes used to smuggle drugs into the US from Mexico, but less common to see them used to smuggle people. But the Daily Comet reports a pilot allegedly tried to fly three Mexicans past checkpoints in California's Imperial Valley after the trio illegally crossed the border.

Shawn Moran of the National Border Patrol Council, a union representing CBP agents, commented, "I can't recall hearing any other cases. There may have been, but this is the first I've heard of planes being used to smuggle people." He added he was aware of past cases in which planes were used to smuggle Chinese aliens, but not Mexicans.

The paper reports the official complaint filed against 30-year-old Lino Rodriguez, the pilot, alleges investigators followed the passengers from a Motel 6 in El Centro to the Imperial County Airport in the wee hours of Friday morning, then blocked the plane as it began to taxi toward the runway. Rodriguez, a California resident, is reported to have pleaded not guilty to smuggling charges Monday. He was released on $20,000 bail.

The three Mexicans who had boarded his plane are reportedly being held as witnesses. The migrants told authorities they were to pay $2,500 each had they reached their destinations.

FMI: www.cbp.gov