Watch CBS News

Border Patrol Arrests 13 Illegals Wearing Marine Uniforms


SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Border Patrol agents in San Diego say they have caught 13 illegal immigrants wearing U.S. Marine uniforms.

Agency spokesman Michael Jimenez says that agents found the group after approaching a suspicious parked van with altered U.S. license plates on March 14. Two U.S. citizens who were with the immigrants were arrested on suspicion of alien smuggling. Three of the illegal immigrants are being held in federal custody as witnesses and the others have been returned to Mexico.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is handling the investigation. Navy investigators referred calls to Washington, D.C., and no one could be reached for comment late Tuesday.

Authorities do not know how the group obtained the American military uniforms.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.