Subscribers: US, Mexico team up to dismantle human smuggling organization in Nogales
An extensive bilateral U.S.-Mexico collaboration led to the apprehension of six alleged smuggling coordinators and the dismantling of a “prolific transnational human smuggling organization” operating at the Arizona-Sonora border, the Department of Justice announced last week.
“These joint efforts demonstrate the commitment of both of our nations to not let borders be barriers when it comes to confronting the transnational criminal organizations that negatively impact both of our nations,” said Scott Brown, special agent in charge for HSI-Phoenix, in a press release statement.
According to the Migration Policy Institute there is little evidence that drug-trafficking organizations smuggle migrants themselves. Rather, they charge a “toll” for smuggling operations.As border enforcement has ramped up in the U.S. Southern border and the routes to cross Mexico become increasingly more dangerous, human smuggling operations have become ever more profitable. Some estimates suggest costs for migrants today go anywhere between $3,000 and over $10,000.
“It's not in every smuggling event that you're able to get to the highest levels of who's causing this to happen,” said Deputy Special Agent in Charge Leo Llamas, who oversees the Homeland Security Investigations office in Nogales. “You're not always lucky enough to be able to get to the highest level on each and every one.”
In 2021, the Joint Task Force Alpha brought together Homeland Security resources and extensive intelligence sharing with Mexican law enforcement agencies. That magnitude of the collaboration with Mexican counterparts was unprecedented in Arizona,Llamas said. Yet among those convicted, some for less than 18 months of imprisonment, were drivers and stash-house caretakers, court documents show. In some cases, their criminal history was limited illegal reentry after being deported, a felony in the United States.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
US-Mexico border arrests climbed in FebruaryUS Border Patrol made more than 158,000 arrests on the US southern border in February, a jump from January when there were nearly 148,000 apprehensions, according to newly released agency data
Read more »
2 dead, 8 injured in suspected gas leak explosion in Playa del Carmen, MexicoTwo people were killed and at least eight were injured in a suspected gas leak explosion at a beach restaurant in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, according to authorities.
Read more »
Mexico City-Based Architect Frida Escobedo Will Design the New $500 Million Wing at the MetThe architect will become the first woman to design a wing of the Met.
Read more »
SoCal man missing after boat found abandoned in Mexico with dog, belongings still on boardA man from Marina Del Rey is missing after his sailboat was found abandoned off the coast of Mexico with his belongings and dog still on board.
Read more »
Authorities raid cocaine pipeline that funneled $13 million in profits from Cleveland to MexicoAuthorities dismantled a drug pipeline that poured more than 1,100 pounds of cocaine into Cleveland and sent $13 million in proceeds back to Mexico in a span of a few years, according to officials and an indictment unsealed Tuesday.
Read more »
'Little Miss Nobody,' found dead in Arizona desert in 1960, identified as New Mexico girlBREAKING: Authorities have identified “Little Miss Nobody,” a young New Mexico girl found in Arizona who remained nameless for more than six decades after her killing.
Read more »