Feds bust huge alleged Guatemalan human smuggling ring working out of California

Federal brokers arrested two Guatemalan males on Friday accused of working one of many largest human smuggling operations in the US.

The 2 had been picked up close to downtown Los Angeles and are accused of transferring 20,000 unlawful immigrants into the U.S. from Guatemala since 2019.

Eduardo Domingo Renoj-Matul and Cristobal Mejia-Chaj every appeared in federal courtroom hours after their arrests, and a choose ordered every held with out bond. If convicted, they may every face the dying penalty.

“These smuggling organizations don’t have any regard for human life and their conduct kills,” stated appearing U.S. Lawyer Joseph McNally. “The indictment and arrests right here have dismantled one of many nation’s largest and most harmful smuggling organizations. This work saves lives, and the members of the group will now face vital penalties.”

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Helmer Obispo Hernandez, described as a “lieutenant” within the smuggling operation, stays at massive and allegedly threatened to chop the pinnacle off of a federal agent final week. (U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace – Los Angeles)

Two different males are additionally charged within the case; Jose Paxtor-Oxlaj, who’s behind bars in Oklahoma for his position in a 2023 automotive crash that killed seven migrants – together with 5 from the identical household – and Helmer Obispo-Hernandez, who’s described as a “lieutenant” within the smuggling operation.

“Every single day, related human smuggling organizations put earnings forward of the security in these reckless and unlawful endeavors,” stated Homeland Safety Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles Performing Particular Agent in Cost John Pasciucco. “HSI Los Angeles and our companions are dedicated to proceed figuring out and dismantling these organizations, so no additional lives are misplaced, and our borders are safe.”

Homeland Safety Investigations Los Angeles Performing Particular Agent in Cost John Pasciucco stated the feds are working to establish and dismantle “reckless and unlawful” human smuggling organizations. (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)

Prosecutors allege Renoj-Matul, who goes by the title Turko, was the ringleader of the operation. He was working with counterparts in Guatemala who would cost migrants $15,000 to $18,000 for secure passage to the US.

As soon as right here, the migrants had been then charged once more for added transport throughout the nation. Renoj-Matul’s indictment alleges migrants beneath his path had been moved to a minimum of 20 states and Washington, D.C.

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It’s believed that migrants who didn’t pay had been held hostage in a stash home in the identical Los Angeles neighborhood the place Renoj-Matul and Mejia-Chaj had been arrested.

Operation ringleader Eduardo Domingo Renoj-Matul, who goes by “Turko,” allegedly labored with counterparts in Guatemala who would cost migrants $15,000 to $18,000 for secure passage to the US. (AP Photograph/Eric Homosexual, File)

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In a single incident final yr, prosecutors alleged Renoj-Matul referred to as the mom of a migrant he was holding hostage and threatened that she “would come residence in a field” if her smuggling charges weren’t paid.

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Obispo-Hernandez stays at massive and faces extra costs for threatening to chop off the pinnacle of a Homeland Safety Investigations officer who served a search warrant at his home on Friday.