Former Mexican soccer player arrested for allegedly smuggling two people into the U.S.

Raúl Enríquez Arámbula, a former player for the Tijuana soccer team Xolos, was arrested on Monday at the Otay Mesa checkpoint for allegedly trying to smuggle two undocumented individuals in the truck he was driving.

Enriquez was reportedly driving a Cadillac pickup truck on his way to a game in Santa Ana, California, but when he attempted to cross the border line he was questioned by an agent, according to documents filed with the Southern District Court of the Golden State cited by Medio Tiempo.

Subsequently, his vehicle was inspected and U.S. agents discovered two blankets spread out in the trunk and two immigrant women underneath them.

"Enriquez was on his way to a soccer game in the town of Santa Ana when officers noticed the subjects in the trunk of his car, covered with a blanket," Fox Sports reported.

The 37-year-old former soccer player and the two women, identified as Maribel Cruz Ángeles and Araceli Espinoza, were arrested and the car was confiscated, reported El Financiero.

Enríquez is known for being the all-time leading scorer for the Tijuana Xolos, with 81 goals in 203 games. He was also part of the border city club's first Liga MX title in the 2012 Apertura tournament.

Now, the former player is being prosecuted and, if found guilty, could face up to five years in prison, Récord reported.

In recent months, it has become common for some human smugglers to hide migrants in the trunks of vehicles that regularly cross into the United States.

According to an investigation published by Uniradio Informa, criminals use magnets to place drug packages or migrants in the trunks of vehicles crossing international checkpoints, as well as a GPS to track their route.