Feds: Man tried to enter U.S. via red chile shipment

COLUMBUS, N.M. — Authorities say an immigrant suspected of entering the country illegally attempted to make his journey in an unusual but hot place — a shipment of red chile.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at a New Mexico border checkpoint said the man was discovered Thursday face down among a commercial load of the spicy stuff.

Columbus Port Director Robert Reza says next to the “highly intoxicated” 35-year-old was a bottle of tequila.

The man, who authorities described as a Mexican national, told agents that he climbed into the commercial hopper while it was being staged in Mexico with hopes of catching a ride to Chicago. But agents said he got less than 100 yards into New Mexico before he was discovered.

The red chile shipment was later released.