Three men found crammed in secret SUV compartment at border crossing, feds say

Three men were found hidden in a “specially built” cargo compartment of a vehicle attempting to enter the U.S., border officials said in a news release.

The men were discovered at around 11 a.m. on April 1, when a 29-year-old man applied for entry through the San Ysidro port near San Diego. An officer with U.S. Customs and Border Protection noticed that there was a person inside the spare tire compartment in the back of the vehicle, leading agents to inspect the vehicle further, the release said.

During that inspection, officers “found a non-factory compartment” in the SUV with three men inside. Agents said the compartment did not have easy access for people to get out without help.

The men — ages 29, 24 and 21 — were taken to another location for further processing. CBP officers seized the vehicle and will return the men to Mexico, the release said.