INDIO - (INT) - Indio Border Patrol agents arrested two people suspected of human smuggling Wednesday, after discovering a man concealed under a modified fuel tank in the vehicle they were driving.

The incident occurred at approximately 3:30 p.m. when Border Patrol agents at the checkpoint encountered a 33-year-old male driver, a 24-year-old female passenger and their two children. All of the occupants are confirmed to be U.S. citizens.

Upon further inspection, agents discovered a 40-year-old man, a Mexican national, hidden inside an empty modified fuel tank underneath the back seat of the Toyota 4-Runner with no means of escape, and there was limited air flow.

The two U.S. citizens will be presented for prosecution, for bringing in and harboring certain aliens. The children were released to the custody of a family member.

The Mexican national will be presented for prosecution for reentry of removed aliens.

Story Date: April 20, 2015