11 arrested in Mexico following human smuggling takedown
TIJUANA, Mexico – Eleven alleged human smugglers were arrested Tuesday by Mexican law enforcement officers in Tijuana following a tip from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) Assistant Attaché Office in Tijuana.
The investigation into the smuggling ring began in August 2014 after HSI and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) identified a Mexican woman attempting to smuggle four minor unaccompanied children at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Subsequent investigative leads suggested that the smuggling organization attempted to smuggle 13 unaccompanied children in total. Additionally, one of the unaccompanied children claimed to have been sexually abused while at a stash house in Mexico.
“We congratulate the Mexican government for the swift action in bringing these human smugglers to justice,” said HSI Assistant Attaché Horacio Amador. “Their actions demonstrate their resolve to protecting children from the ruthless smugglers looking to profit at any expense.”
The following Mexican law enforcement agencies brought the investigation to fruition: the Attorney General’s Office, the Federal Police, the Tijuana Municipal Police Department’s Intelligence Unit, the Secretariat of Government and the National Institute on Migration (INAMI).
The investigation into this case continues in both Mexico and the U.S.
Through its International Operations, HSI has 65 operational attaché offices in 46 countries around the world. HSI special agents work closely with foreign law enforcement agencies through a robust network of specialized, units known as Transnational Criminal Investigative Units. Additionally, HSI brings personnel from host countries to the United States to train at the Department of Homeland Security Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia.
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