U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Douglas Port of Entry have charged a Phoenix couple with attempting to smuggle two small children into the United States, according to a CBP news release issued Friday.

On Tuesday, at about 5:30 p.m., officers were screening passengers and vehicles when they came into contact with a vehicle being driven by a 22-year-old Phoenix woman. The woman was accompanied by a 21-year-old Phoenix man and two girls ages 8 and 4.

The American customs officers became suspicious, and further investigation revealed that the couple were attempting to smuggle the two girls into the United States for monetary gain.

The CBP news release did not elaborate on how the monetary gain would happen. Wick News Service attempted to contact the CBP officials on Friday to answer that question, but no authorized person was available for comment.CBP officers at the Douglas Port of Entry, when reached on Friday, said the case had moved out of their hands and they could not discuss the matter.

The two girls were not related, the CBP release stated. The 8-year-old admitted that the Phoenix couple had drilled them on the things they should say. She was afraid of the couple. The two girls were given a medical evaluation and sheltered while awaiting reunion with their respective families.

CBP did not identify the couple.

The CBP release contained a comment attributed to Michael Humphries, the director for all port operations at Douglas and Naco.

“It is sad that many small children such as these are placed in hands of smugglers,” Humphries said. “For the smuggler it is all about the money, but for these small children it is a terrifying experience; for some, leaving emotional scars for life. When it comes to these small children, CBP officers know that they are the last barrier and hope that these children have before they fall into the full embrace of these smuggling schemes. CBP officers not only stand as the guardians of our nation but offer refuge to these defenseless victims regardless of their origin.”

CBP officers seized the vehicle. The Phoenix couple were turned over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials for further processing and investigation.

Further information about the case was not available at press time Friday.