19 Suspected Migrants Arrested In San Diego Border Drainage System

SAN DIEGO, CA — U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested 19 suspected migrants, including two previously deported convicted drug traffickers, after they were found hiding in a drainage tunnel system near the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego, authorities said.

Agents using a remote video surveillance system spotted suspicious activity at 10:40 p.m. May 4 near the tunnels, where they found the group trying to enter the country illegally, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The arrested group consisted of 16 adults and three unaccompanied children, all citizens of Mexico, officials said. Following the initial apprehensions, the San Diego Sector Tunnel Team searched the drainage system and confirmed no additional people were hiding inside.

Among those arrested were brothers Raudel Carrillo-Padilla, 35, and Ivan Carrillo-Padilla, 31, who had both previously been deported. The brothers were convicted in 2017 in Yreka, California, on charges related to possession, transportation and intent to sell methamphetamine, officials said. Ivan Carrillo-Padilla also had an additional deportation following a 2019 drug-related arrest in Eugene, Oregon.

All 19 people were taken to the Chula Vista Station for processing and could face removal proceedings or federal prosecution, according to officials.