Smuggling ringleader arrested for Texas migrant death tragedy

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

WE’RE LEARNING ARRESTS HAVE JUST BEEN MADE IN WHAT IS CONSIDERED THE DEADLIEST SMUGGLING INCIDENT OF ITS KIND IN U-S HISTORY.

GUATEMALAN POLICE SAYING THIS WEEK THEY’VE ARRESTED SEVEN INDIVIDUALS TIED TO AN OPERATION THAT RESULTED IN THE TRAGIC DEATHS OF 53 MIGRANTS IN TEXAS IN 2022. THE MIGRANTS, INCLUDING EIGHT CHILDREN, WERE ABANDONED IN A TRACTOR-TRAILER IN SCORCHING HEAT AND DIED OF ASPHYXIATION.

THE GROUP, CALLED “LOS OROZCOS,” IS ACCUSED OF MAKING MILLIONS BY SMUGGLING AND HOUSING HUNDREDS OF MIGRANTS OVER THE YEARS. THESE RECENT ARRESTS IN GUATEMALA ARE PART OF JOINT TASK FORCE ALPHA—AN EFFORT BETWEEN THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND HOMELAND SECURITY TO TAKE DOWN HUMAN SMUGGLING NETWORKS IN CENTRAL AMERICA, INCLUDING GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, AND MEXICO.

ONE OF THOSE ARRESTED IS BELIEVED TO BE THE RINGLEADER OF THE OPERATION.

IN A SERIES OF 13 RAIDS ACROSS THREE GUATEMALAN DEPARTMENTS, AUTHORITIES SEIZED VEHICLES, CASH, AND RESCUED OTHER MIGRANTS

NICOLE ARGENTIERI

PRINCIPAL DEPUTY ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL

“Earlier this week, Guatemalan authorities arrested Miranda Orozco at the request of the United States, along with several other members of the smuggling organization, whom the Guatemalan government intends to prosecute in Guatemala. The department is pursuing Miranda Orozco’s extradition. His capture is just the latest in a number of arrests of members of the smuggling organization responsible for this horrific and fatal event.”

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

THE 2022 TRAGEDY UNFOLDED WHEN 65 MIGRANTS WERE PACKED INTO A TRACTOR-TRAILER WITHOUT FUNCTIONING AIR CONDITIONING, ENDURING A THREE-HOUR JOURNEY FROM LAREDO TO SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. WHEN THE TRAILER WAS OPENED, 48 MIGRANTS HAD ALREADY DIED, AND ANOTHER FIVE PASSED AWAY LATER IN HOSPITALS.

U.S. OFFICIALS REPORT THAT “LOS OROZCOS” CHARGED UP TO $15,000 PER MIGRANT FOR THE PERILOUS JOURNEY, OFTEN ALLOWING MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO CROSS THE U.S. BORDER.

THE SMUGGLING RING OPERATED WITH EXTENSIVE TIES ACROSS GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, AND MEXICO, USING SHARED ROUTES, STASH HOUSES, AND TRAILERS.

THE HEAD OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT’S CRIMINAL DIVISION CONDEMNED THE SMUGGLERS FOR PRIORITIZING PROFIT OVER HUMAN LIVES, VOWING CONTINUED EFFORTS TO HOLD THOSE RESPONSIBLE ACCOUNTABLE.

NICOLE ARGENTIERI

PRINCIPAL DEPUTY ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL

“This tragedy is a dire warning of the dangers that human smugglers cause by exposing migrants to life-threatening conditions for the smugglers’ financial gain. Dismantling human smuggling networks is a critical priority for the Criminal Division, and we will continue to work with our domestic and international law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute these cases, no matter where the offenders may be found.”

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

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