Woman caught sneaking into U.S. in suitcase

Customs and Border Protection officers foiled a smuggling attempt at the U.S.-Mexico border when they discovered a woman contorted and hidden inside a suitcase. Officials released a photo this week showing the woman tucked into a ball and laying inside the luggage in the back of a vehicle.

The woman, a Thai national named Pornkamol Mongkolsermsak, was charged with re-entry after deportation, CBP spokesman Victor Brabble said. She was discovered on December 30, when inspectors at the border referred the driver of a Honda SUV for a secondary inspection, CBP said in a statement.

When officers inspected the vehicle, they opened up the suitcase and found the 48-year-old woman hidden underneath some clothing. Authorities did not release the name of the 56-year-old Phoenix man who was driving the SUV.

The case has been turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, CBP said.