Federal and local law enforcement agencies have successfully shut down one of the largest human smuggling operations in U. S. history, leading to significant arrests.
• U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Border Patrol, and Inglewood Police conducted an investigation that resulted in the capture of four Guatemalan men involved in smuggling.
• The ringleaders, including Eduardo Domingo Renoj-Matul and Cristobal Mejia-Chaj, are charged with smuggling about 20,000 Guatemalans into the U. S. over five years.
• The smuggling operation lasted approximately 12 years across the U. S.
• Renoj-Matul and Mejia-Chaj were arrested in Los Angeles and are currently jailed without bond; their trial is scheduled for next month.
• Two additional suspects include Helmer Obispo-Hernandez, who is still at large, and Jose Paxtor-Oxlaj, who is in jail in Oklahoma for a fatal accident during a smuggling operation.
• Each ringleader faces multiple charges, including conspiracy and transporting illegal aliens for financial gain; hostage-taking charges have also been filed against Renoj-Matul and Mejia-Chaj.
• The organization charged Guatemalans between $15,000 and $18,000 to be smuggled into the U. S. and held individuals hostage to collect fees.
• Two other lieutenants from the organization were also arrested on immigration charges.
The dismantling of this operation highlights the ongoing challenges of human smuggling and illegal immigration in the U. S. , especially under the current administration where record numbers of Guatemalans have entered the country illegally.
https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_c1b4e7c3-17f2-4215-bb04-7291c4eadb1e.html
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