An indictment was unsealed yesterday containing criminal charges against the alleged leader of a human smuggling organization responsible for unlawfully bringing thousands of migrants into the United States. Along with the organization, the defendant, who was arrested in Mexico at the request of the United States, has also been designated for financial sanctions by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. These developments were made possible through extensive bilateral coordination and cooperation efforts between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement authorities.
Abdul Karim Conteh, 42, a national of Sierra Leone, was arrested on July 11 in Tijuana, Mexico. The United States is pursuing Conteh’s extradition on federal charges stemming from his alleged actions in leading the human smuggling organization. His wife, Veronica Roblero Pivaral, 25, a national of Mexico, remains at large.
“Human smugglers exploit the vulnerable for profit,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “Along with our partners across this Administration and around the world, we are bringing the full force of the law to bear against the individuals and their organizations that perpetrate this heinous crime. We couple our unrelenting efforts with this warning to would-be migrants everywhere: do not believe the smuggler’s lies and risk your lives in their ruthless hands.”
“In coordination with our law enforcement partners, the Justice Department has worked relentlessly to target and disrupt unlawful transnational human smuggling operations that endanger migrants and threaten our national security,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We allege Abdul Karim Conteh and his organization smuggled thousands of migrants from more than a dozen different countries through Mexico into the United States. He has been arrested for his alleged role in this prolific exploitive smuggling operation by Mexican authorities, and the Justice Department will ensure that he is held accountable in an American courtroom.”
According to the indictment, Conteh’s organization allegedly smuggled thousands of migrants to the United States through Mexico. These smuggled migrants originated from countries around the world, including Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Somalia, Cameroon, Senegal, Mauritania, Ethiopia, Egypt, and others. The migrants paid smuggling fees often totaling tens of thousands of dollars to be transported through various countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama Costa Rica Nicaragua Honduras and Guatemala on their way to the U.S.-Mexico border.
“This arrest unravels a global web of coordinated human smuggling into the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath for the Southern District of California. “Even the most far-reaching prolific networks cannot evade justice.”
Conteh allegedly coordinated with Roblero and co-conspirators throughout Mexico and other countries to facilitate global transportation of migrants into and through Mexico to the U.S border Conteh then allegedly oversaw migrants’ unlawful entry into the United States by various surreptitious means including use ladders tunnels
Conteh Roblero others are charged conspiracy smuggle which carries maximum penalty years prison Conteh also charged unlawful financial gain carries mandatory minimum three years prison first two violations Additional violations carry mandatory minimum five years prison maximum penalty fifteen years prison
In addition U.S Department Treasury’s Office Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added Abdul Karim Human Smuggling Organization (HSO) four individuals Specially Designated Nationals Blocked Persons List pursuant Executive Order (E.O.) 13851 amended E.O 13863 E.O 13581 For additional information actions taken OFAC please visit www.home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2470
U.S Border Patrol HSI IRS Criminal Investigation Los Angeles Field Office investigating case
Justice Department’s Office International Affairs worked Mexican authorities secure arrest
Assistant U Attorneys Ryan Sausedo David Fawcett Southern District California prosecuting case substantial assistance Trial Attorney Danielle Hickman Criminal Division’s Human Rights Special Prosecutions Section
These actions resulted coordinated efforts Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) Secretary Homeland Security Alejandro N Mayorkas Attorney General Merrick B Garland established JTFA June marshal investigative prosecutorial resources Department Homeland Security partnership Justice Department combat rise prolific dangerous human trafficking groups operating Mexico Guatemala El Salvador Honduras JTFA comprises detailees U Attorneys’ Offices southwest border including Southern District California District Arizona District New Mexico Western Southern Districts Texas Dedicated support provided numerous components Justice Department’s Criminal Division led Human Rights Special Prosecutions Section additional support Office Prosecutorial Development Assistance Training Narcotic Dangerous Drug Section Money Laundering Asset Recovery Section Office Enforcement Operations Office International Affairs Violent Crime Racketeering Section JTFA relies substantial law enforcement investment DHS FBI DEA other partners To date JTFA work resulted more than domestic international arrests leaders organizers significant facilitators more than convictions more than significant jail sentences imposed forfeitures substantial assets
