In a significant blow to one of the largest human smuggling operations in the United States, federal officials detained two Guatemalan men on Friday.
The suspects, apprehended near downtown Los Angeles, are believed to have smuggled at least 20,000 illegal aliens from Guatemala into the United States since 2019.
According to One America News, the men, identified as Eduardo Domingo Renoj-Matul and Cristobal Mejia-Chaj, were ordered to be held without bond by a judge. They face severe penalties if convicted, including the possibility of the death penalty. The charges against them underscore the stark difference between human trafficking and human smuggling.
As defined by ICE, "Human trafficking involves exploiting men, women, or children for the purposes of forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation. Human smuggling involves the provision of a servicetypically, transportation or fraudulent documentsto an individual who voluntarily seeks to gain illegal entry into a foreign country."
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph McNally expressed his disdain for such organizations, stating, "These smuggling organizations have no regard for human life and their conduct kills." He further emphasized the significance of the arrests, asserting that they have "dismantled one of the countrys largest and most dangerous smuggling organizations. This work saves lives, and the members of the organization will now face significant consequences."
The case also implicates Helmer Obispo-Hernandez, a lieutenant in the smuggling ring, and Jose Paxtor-Oxlaj, currently incarcerated in Oklahoma for his role in a 2023 automobile accident that resulted in the death of seven illegal immigrants.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles Acting Special Agent John Pasciucco echoed McNally's sentiments, stating, "Every day, similar human smuggling organizations put profits ahead of the safety in these reckless and illegal endeavors. HSI Los Angeles and our partners are committed to continue identifying and dismantling these organizations, so no further lives are lost, and our borders are secure."
Renoj-Matul, also known as "Turko," is alleged to be the mastermind behind the operation. He reportedly collaborated with associates in Guatemala, charging migrants between $15,000 and $18,000 for safe passage into the U.S. Once in the country, the migrants were charged additional fees for further transportation. Under Renoj-Matul's supervision, illegal immigrants were dispersed to at least 20 states and Washington, D.C.
In the same Los Angeles neighborhood where Renoj-Matul and Mejia-Chaj were arrested, a stash house is believed to have been used to hold illegal immigrants who failed to pay their smuggling fees. Prosecutors allege that Renoj-Matul even threatened to "bring home in a box" the mother of a migrant he was holding hostage if her smuggling payments were not received.
Obispo-Hernandez, who remains at large, faces additional charges for threatening to decapitate a Homeland Security Investigations officer who executed a search warrant at his residence on Friday.
The Department of Justice revealed that "Assistant United States Attorneys Shawn J. Nelson and Elia Herrera of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section are prosecuting this case. Assistant United States Attorney Tara B. Vavere of the Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Section is handling the asset forfeiture portion of this case."
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