The United States Border Patrol detained 19 Mexican migrants who were hidden in a drainage system near the border between Tijuana and San Diego, in California.

Among those arrested were three unaccompanied minors and two alleged human traffickers with criminal records related to drug trafficking.

According to reports from the Customs and Border Protection Office (CBP), the group was located inside tunnels and storm channels used to try to enter US territory irregularly.

The detection occurred thanks to video surveillance systems and a specialized operation in the San Diego border area.

The authorities identified the brothers Iván and Raudel Carrillo Padilla, 31 and 35 years old, respectively, as allegedly responsible for the group's crossing.

According to an official report consulted by Univision, both were convicted in 2017 for crimes related to possession, transportation and intention to sell methamphetamine in California.

In addition, Iván Carrillo Padilla had been deported again after a drug-related arrest in Oregon in 2019.

After the discovery, Border Patrol agents carried out a complete inspection of the drainage system to rule out the presence of more people hiding in the area.

The migrants remained in the custody of US immigration authorities for the corresponding processing.