The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced this week that 14 individuals have been indicted in connection with a large-scale human smuggling operation that allegedly brought hundreds of undocumented migrants into the United States. Eight of those indicted have already been arrested.
A federal grand jury in Las Cruces, New Mexico, returned the indictment, charging the individuals with conspiracy to transport, harbor, and smuggle illegal migrants into and across the U.S. The DOJ described the network as an “extensive alien smuggling organization” operating primarily through New Mexico and South Texas.
“This indictment outlines a complex conspiracy that endangered lives and tragically resulted in the death of one person,” said Antoinette T. Bacon, a senior DOJ official. “We’ve worked closely with the Department of Homeland Security to disrupt and dismantle a Mexico-based smuggling ring that trafficked in vulnerable individuals, including unaccompanied minors.”
According to the DOJ press release, the accused facilitated the illegal entry of migrants from Mexico across the southern U.S. border. They allegedly used “stash houses” to hide migrants during transit and provided instructions on how to avoid detection by law enforcement. In some cases, smugglers reportedly drove at high speeds to evade U.S. Border Patrol and advised migrants on how to escape capture at checkpoints.
Tragically, one migrant died from heat exposure during a smuggling attempt and was abandoned in the desert.
“Human smuggling organizations threaten national security, exploit vulnerable people, and pose serious public safety risks,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin for the District of New Mexico. “We remain committed to working with all levels of law enforcement to hold these organizations accountable and seize the profits they generate through illegal activities.”
The operation’s exposure comes amid a broader crackdown on transnational criminal networks involved in human trafficking, following recent executive orders from President Donald Trump aimed at reversing immigration policies from the Biden administration, which had been criticized by some for contributing to a surge in illegal border crossings. Nearly 8 million encounters with undocumented migrants were recorded during the previous administration.
Jason T. Stevens, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) in El Paso, underscored the human toll of these operations. “Smugglers treat people as human cargo, placing lives at risk. This case is a tragic reminder of the deadly consequences of these crimes,” he said.
All 14 defendants face charges of conspiracy to smuggle, transport, and harbor undocumented migrants. If convicted, each could face up to 10 years in federal prison. Final sentences will be determined by a federal judge in accordance with U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and applicable statutes.
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