Accused human smuggler caught using look-alike border patrol SUV

NEW YORK (FOX5NY) - The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency says that agents arrested a man attempting to smuggle illegal immigrants in a Tahoe that had been altered to look like a border patrol vehicle.

It happend Thursday afternoon near Laredo, Texas. A Border Patrol agent noticed a suspicious looking government vehicle.  He continued to follow the vehicle while coordinating with other agents.

They stopped the vehicle on I-35. Upon approaching the SUV they noticed there were several people inside the vehicle.

12 illegal immigrants were found crammed inside the vehicle.

The driver was arrested.

“Smugglers have resorted to desperate measures to conduct their illicit business,” said Mario Martinez, Chief of the Laredo Sector Border Patrol. 

The incident is still under investigation.