Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. Delivers Remarks Announcing Joint Task Force Alpha's Human Smuggling Takedown Operation

Joint Task Force Alpha was created to investigate and prosecute the international networks responsible for dangerous and prolific human smuggling activities that exploit and victimize migrants," said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department's Criminal Division. "These indictments demonstrate the Department of Justice's commitment to holding accountable criminal organizations that prey upon vulnerable people for profit. JTF Alpha's dedicated personnel, along with our international law enforcement partners, are working tirelessly to disrupt and dismantle these harmful smuggling and trafficking networks.

This case is a prime example of the Department of Justice's joint commitment with federal, state and international law enforcement to bring those who profit over human life to justice," said Kristy Callahan, Executive Assistant to the U.S. Attorney. "The Western District of Texas is especially thankful for the firm resolve and commitment of Joint Task Force Alpha, HSI, Border Patrol, our international partners who have been instrumental in this case, as well as all of all our law enforcement and our prosecutors who work tirelessly day after day to prevent and dismantle the illegal activities of these loathsome criminal enterprises.

By leveraging HSI's transnational criminal investigative unit in Guatemala, and HSI personnel on the ground, HSI identified the leaders of this human smuggling organiziation both in Odessa and in Guatemala," said Special Agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations HSI in El Paso, Texas Francisco Berola. "This case is an example of how streamlining investigations under the JTF Alpha within the United States and with our foreign partners is an effective and efficient way to dismantle transnational criminal organizations that smuggle migrants under dangerous and oftentimes abusive and exploitive conditions.

I am extremely proud of the important work being done by DHS and our partners at the Department of Justice in working to bring law enforcement actions against these dangerous and predatory criminal organizations," said Chief of the United States Border Patrol Raul Ortiz. "The scope and scale of these organizations are vast and require the type of whole government approach that resulted in these indictments.