Two suspected leaders of a criminal network, active for at least 12 years and accused of smuggling 20,000 undocumented migrants from Guatemala into the US have been arrested in Los Angeles, federal prosecutors announced Monday, according to The Guardian. 

Eduardo Domingo Renoj-Matul, known as "Turko", and his deputy, Cristobal Mejia-Chaj, were apprehended on Friday and have pleaded not guilty to multiple charges related to migrant smuggling over five years, according to the US Attorney’s Office. Both men—who are also in the country illegally—will remain in custody without bond until their trial in April, as per the federal judge's orders. 

Prosecutors also linked the organization to the deaths of seven undocumented migrants, including a four-year-old child, who died in a fatal car crash in Oklahoma in November 2023.  

Jose Paxtor-Oxlaj, the driver involved in the fatal crash, has been in custody in Oklahoma since the incident and has now been charged in the California indictment, court documents reveal. Another alleged lieutenant in the network, Helmer Obispo-Hernandez, who oversaw a team of drivers, is also facing charges and is believed to be in Guatemala, officials said.

Operations, consequences

Details provided by prosecutors revealed that Renoj-Matul worked with associates in Guatemala who recruited individuals willing to pay between $15,000 and $18,000 to be smuggled into the US via Mexico.  

For an extra charge, migrants were transported to various destinations across the US, including Los Angeles and Phoenix. Those unable to pay the full amount were allegedly held captive in a stash house near downtown Los Angeles, prosecutors added.

Acting US attorney Joseph T. McNally, commenting on the indictment, said, "These smuggling organizations have no regard for human life and their conduct kills... The indictment and arrests here have dismantled one of the country’s largest and most dangerous smuggling organizations."

If found guilty on all charges, the defendants could face a life sentence or potentially the death penalty. 

Since returning to office, Trump's administration has initiated a massive crackdown on undocumented migrants, deporting thousands since January. 

Trump also signed an executive order directing the expansion of the migrant operations center at the notorious Guantánamo Bay to accommodate up to 30,000 migrants. The expansion has already begun, with new tent cities set up to increase capacity to 2,000 detainees.

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