Penalties can be severe for border crossers who unwittingly smuggle drugs or migrants.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is alerting travelers to be vigilant against “blind mule” tactics being employed by criminal organizations at the U.S.-Mexico border. This scheme involves smugglers secretly planting drugs or hiding undocumented migrants in vehicles or luggage without the owner’s knowledge, effectively turning innocent border crossers into unwitting smugglers.
“It is a huge problem here in San Diego,” Immigration attorney Saman Nasseri said, adding that penalties for can be severe, even for those unaware of their involvement.
“It carries five, ten, 15, 20 years in federal prison if you’re caught,” he explained.
To protect themselves, travelers are advised to thoroughly inspect their vehicles before crossing the border. This includes checking tires (including the spare), looking underneath the car for hidden GPS trackers or magnets, examining the trunk, and inspecting under the hood.
CBP stresses the importance of not carrying items for others unless the contents are known. Travelers should remain alert for any signs of tampering or suspicious behavior.
According to Nasseri, criminals target a range of individuals, particularly those less likely to draw attention.
“It’s really random,” Nasseri said. “Its just people that they think may be aren’t going to cause any attention. So you usually look at elderly people, families, definitely U.S. citizens or people with visas they know can cross if they see U.S. plates.”
The use of GPS trackers is a common tactic employed by smugglers to monitor their illicit cargo once it crosses the border. Travelers are urged to be on the lookout for these devices.
CBP encourages the public to report any suspicious activity they may encounter. By raising awareness of this criminal strategy, authorities hope to reduce the number of innocent travelers unknowingly caught up in smuggling operations.