3 Mexican immigrants found hidden in box under RV

Associated Press
This March 19, 2014, image provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security shows immigrants arrested after being hidden inside a storage compartment under the bed of a recreational vehicle near San Diego. The three illegal aliens as well as the driver and a passenger were arrested. (AP Photo/U.S. Department of Homeland Security)

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Border Patrol officials say three adult Mexican immigrants were found inside a wooden box carried under a recreational vehicle stopped at a checkpoint near the California-Mexico border.

Officials said Thursday that agents near Indio apprehended the three Mexican men who were in the country illegally after a Border Patrol dog alerted authorities that something was suspicious about the recreational vehicle Wednesday afternoon.

Authorities found a storage compartment under the bed of the vehicle that had a wooden box with a lid screwed on tight. When agents unscrewed the lid they found three adult males folded over inside the box. The men are ages 17, 19 and 21.

The vehicle's 23-year-old male driver and an 18-year-old female passenger, both U.S. citizens, were arrested on suspicion of migrant smuggling.