The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) investigation resulted in the arrest of 10 smugglers.
According to an ICE press release, the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), HSI Transnational Criminal Investigative Unit (TCIU), Guatemalan National Police (PNC) and Guatemalan Prosecutor for Illicit Migrant Trafficking joined in on the investigation of the 10 individuals who were tied to the murders of 19 foreign nationals back in January 2021 in a human smuggling event in Tamaulipas.
“This joint transnational operation targeting a major human smuggling organization shows the importance of both governments collaborating to apprehend the individuals responsible and hold them accountable for transporting these non-citizens en route to the United States, which ultimately led to their deaths,” HSI acting Regional Attaché for the Northern Triangle Carlos Gamarra said, according to the release. “Hopefully, the results of these high-level arrests can bring some justice to the victims’ families.”
Of the victims, 16 of the 19 killed were of Guatemalan origin, according to the release.
The release states that seizures included both foreign and U.S. currency at approximately $203,000, five vehicles, 61 illegal gambling machines, one firearm, ammunition and various electronic devices.
The arrested violated foreign law that related to human smuggling, money laundering and obstruction of justice, according to the release.
