A Mexican man was found hidden in a compartment inside the gas tank of a vehicle attempting to cross the border into the United States through the San Ysidro port of entry in California. The discovery highlights the extreme risks faced by migrants due to human trafficking networks, after the victim was taken to a hospital with burn injuries. An extremely dangerous method that put his life at risk. According to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) authorities, the driver—a 20-year-old man—was detained after an initial inspection where a K9 unit alerted to irregularities in the lower part of the vehicle. Subsequently, during a secondary inspection, agents discovered a person hidden in a non-factory compartment adapted within the fuel tank. The image released by the authorities shows the interior of the vehicle with the rear seats partially disassembled and an irregular opening in the body. The driver was arrested and taken to a detention center in San Diego. The case underscores the dangerous and inhumane tactics used by traffickers, who prioritize profits over human life, according to the director of the San Ysidro port, Mariza Marín. Meanwhile, the case again raises the issue of the growing sophistication of concealment methods and the high human cost of these irregular crossing attempts.
