A joint operation by the The Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Justice has disrupted and destroyed a large-scale human smuggling enterprise operating throughout Texas and the southern U.S.
Eight alleged human smugglers were detained as part of the operation, which was carried out by Joint Task Force Alpha, according to a Sept. 13 DHS news release. The indictments were unveiled in the Southern District of Texas.
“It is a central plank of our efforts to address irregular migration across the western hemisphere, and to hold transnational criminal organizations accountable for perpetrating vile and horrific crimes," DHS Deputy Secretary John K. Tien said in the release. “At DHS, countering human smuggling is a moral imperative, a law enforcement priority and a necessity for our national security."
The smuggling operation was lead by Erminia Serrano Piedra, "Irma" and "Boss Lady," 31, according to the news release. Others charge were Kevin Daniel Nuber, "Captain," 41; Laura Nuber, "Barbie," 40; Lloyd Bexley, 51; Jeremy Dickens, 45; Katie Ann Garcia, "Guera," 39; Oliveria Piedra-Campuzana, 53; and Pedro Hairo Abrigo, 33. They were arrested in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
The migrants smuggled were allegedly citizens of Mexico, Guatemala and Colombia, the news release said. Either the migrants or their families allegedly paid members of the organization to help them travel illegally to and within the United States.
"We are unwavering in our commitment and sending a strong message: if you manipulate and imperil and take advantage of struggling migrants, we are coming for you," Tien said in the release. "This investigation is a perfect example of how we're bringing our agencies and components together to leverage the full force of the federal government to do just that."
