Laredo Truck Drivers, Others Charged in Massive Human Smuggling Scheme...

Laredo Truck Drivers, Others Charged in Massive Human Smuggling Scheme


The KGBT News (Harlingen, TX), March 26, 2008

They are believed to have smuggled hundreds of illegal immigrants into the United States but now, 41 truck drivers, guides, brokers, recruiters and smuggling leaders are facing criminal charges.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents started the investigation in Laredo but made the arrests across several American cities over the last seven weeks.

Investigators said the group used truck drivers to smuggle at least 376 illegal immigrants from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras into the United States.

Most of the immigrants were discovered in tractor trailers and attempting to pass through different checkpoints in and around Laredo.

Most of the discoveries were made during routine inspections after they noticed suspicious activity coming from inside the trailers or they were alerted by on-site canines on duty.

Each immigrant allegedly paid $500 to $3,000 depending on their destination.

All 41 of the accused human smugglers have already appeared before a federal judge to face formal charges and have been provided a court date to plead their case.

Officials compared the smuggling acts to a fatal attempt in Victoria, Texas that resulted in the deaths of 19 immigrants in 2003.

'ICE works closely with the U.S. Attorney's Office to bring criminal charges against anyone who disregards our immigration laws, and who recklessly risks the lives of their passengers,' said Jerry Robinette, special agent-in-charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in San Antonio. 'ICE is steadfastly shutting down vulnerabilities in our immigration system by attacking and dismantling the organized criminal networks that transport illegal aliens for profit.'

It's common for illegal alien traffic to increase along the southern border this time of year but agents reported that fiscal year 2008 so far has been unusually busy, especially where truck drivers are involved.



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