A driver was stunned after discovering three women hiding in the boot of her car while lining up at a border crossing.
After entering the queue, she heard unusual noises coming from the rear of her vehicle on Friday (10 Oct).
Pulling over, she opened the boot and found the trio lying inside, packed together like sardines.
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She immediately called for help from on-site officers.
The women identified themselves as Li Xue, 50, Li Lan, 38, and Xia Xianxiu, 50, all Chinese nationals.
Paramedics on site confirmed they were in good health and police established they had no connection to the driver.
The driver had left her home in the Otay Insurgentes neighbourhood of Tijuana, Mexico, with two others, as reported by Need To Know.
None of them realised anyone was in the boot until they reached the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, roughly 20 minutes later.
Officers referred the driver and the three women to prosecutors, who have opened an investigation.
The trio have been handed over to immigration authorities.
Authorities have urged drivers to thoroughly check their vehicles, especially the boot, before heading to border crossings.
Local media say unsuspecting drivers are often exploited as “blind mules” by organised crime groups to smuggle drugs, weapons, and even people into the United States.
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