The bodies of one migrant who died from heat exposure were abandoned in the desert.
More than 12 members of a “prolific alien smuggling organization” have been charged with allegedly promoting illegal entry of Central and South American people across the tropical border, according to the US Department of Justice (DOJ). I did.
In addition to smuggling illegal immigrants, the defendants are also reportedly responsible for transporting them within the country and hiding them in “hidden houses” during their journey.
“During some of the smuggling events, the defendant is said to have avoided law enforcement by traveling at high speeds on the road and instructing aliens how to escape from US border patrols and avoid checkpoints. ” said DOJ.
One illegal immigrant died from heat exposure during a smuggling event and was left in the desert area, the DOJ said.
All defendants are charged with conspiracy to “bring, transport, and port” illegal US immigrants. If convicted, they face a maximum sentence of 10 years.
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According to Antoinette T. Bacon, an official in charge of the DOJ’s criminal division, DOJ worked with Homeland Security to “smuggle hundreds of illegal aliens, including unaccompanied children, through New Mexico and South Texas. “The plan was dismantled.
Holland S. Kastrin, a US lawyer for the New Mexico district, said human smuggling organizations “threate national security, use vulnerable individuals for their benefits, risk lives, and undermine public safety.” .
The lawsuit has been investigated by the US Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations and the US Border Patrol, and is supported by other agencies.
These actions include the joint task force Alpha, which marshals DOJ and homeland security resources to promote enforcement efforts against human smuggling and human trafficking groups in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Colombia and Panama. JTFA) has coordinated efforts.
To date, more than 355 national and international arrests have been made in connection with the smuggling of illegal immigrants as a result of JTFA’s work.
“Proliferation” smuggler
Multiple individuals have been arrested in recent weeks for their involvement in human smuggling operations.
Saucedo-huipio was arrested in Mexico in March 2023 and handed over to US authorities on February 21st to face charges already filed in the Arizona district.
The defendant will work with other smugglers to enable numerous immigrants from around the world to travel to the United States, the department said.
Saucedo-huipio and co-conspirator Ofelia Hernandez-Salas, 62, “submitting tens of thousands of dollars against immigrants, accusing them of immigrants to travel, and instructing them to illegally cross the border to the United States. “It’s a ladder to climb the boundary fence,” it said.
The defendant and his conspirators “are allegedly robbed the immigrants of money and personal belongings while armed with guns and knives,” the DOJ said.
The operation, carried out as part of a bilateral cooperation between the US and Mexico, included a warrant for arrest against two Mexican nationals who are allegedly human smugglers.
Smugglers charge vulnerable people a significant amount of money to transport them to the US multiple times under unsafe circumstances.
“In some cases, smuggled people can become victims of human trafficking or exploitation while traveling or reaching their destination,” Ice said. “They may be forced to work or sex trafficking, or their families may be forced. It can also be misused by criminal networks in other ways. ”
