Texas Border Business
Texas Border Business
Federal authorities have unveiled an extensive indictment against a transnational human smuggling ring, charging four Guatemalan nationals with operating one of the largest illicit immigration networks in the country. The network allegedly trafficked approximately 20,000 migrants from Guatemala through Mexico and into the United States, ultimately dispersing them to various cities across the country.
Dwayne Angebrandt, Deputy Special Agent Charge from Homeland Security and Greg Bovino, Chief of the El Centro Sector of the Border Patrol, along with federal officials, detailed the indictment, which describes a sophisticated criminal operation that functioned for over a decade. The organization is accused of not only violating U.S. immigration laws but also of showing blatant disregard for human life. Migrants were reportedly held hostage for months and threatened with violence, and, in one tragic instance, a group of smuggled individuals, including children, perished in a car accident in Oklahoma in 2023.
Authorities have identified the alleged ringleader as Eduardo Domingo Rejo Mattel, who was arrested and arraigned on Friday along with his key associate, Mejia Cha. Both men have pleaded not guilty, and a trial date is forthcoming. Another suspect, Helmer Obispo Hernandez, remains at large and is considered a fugitive. Hernandez is also facing additional federal charges for allegedly threatening to kill a law enforcement officer and his family members during the execution of search warrants in Los Angeles last week.
The fourth defendant, Jose Pastor Ola, is currently in custody in Oklahoma, facing charges in connection with the deadly car crash that killed seven people, including three minors.
Federal prosecutors emphasized the brutality of the operation, stating that the smugglers extorted families by holding their loved ones hostage in stash houses, including one in the Westlake District of Los Angeles. Those unable to pay the steep smuggling fees, which ranged from $15,000 to $18,000 per person, were often subjected to violence. Migrants were transported through a network of stash houses from Arizona to Los Angeles before being moved across the country.
The Oklahoma crash, which occurred in November 2023, further highlighted the dangers of human smuggling. Prosecutors say that while transporting migrants, Ola crashed a vehicle in Elk City, Oklahoma, leading to the deaths of seven individuals, including a four-year-old child.
“This organization demonstrated a complete disregard for human life,” federal officials stated. “Their actions resulted in death, extortion, and abuse.”
Deputy Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, Dwayne Angebrandt, underscored the significance of the operation, describing it as one of the most prolific smuggling rings in the country. He emphasized that human smuggling is not only a serious crime but also a national security issue, as it can lead to other forms of exploitation, such as trafficking and coercion.
“People who engage in these operations promise desperate individuals a better life, but instead, they subject them to extreme dangers,” Angebrandt said. “Some never make it to their destinations alive.”
Officials revealed that the organization laundered its profits through financial institutions in Los Angeles, concealing the illicit funds from authorities. The smuggling ring maintained meticulous records, which were seized during search warrants, confirming the transportation of over 20,000 individuals into the U.S.
Chief Patrol Agent Greg Bovino of the El Centro Sector provided further insight into the investigation. He noted that Border Patrol agents first encountered this operation in 2021 when a pattern of Guatemalan nationals being transported westward from New Mexico and Arizona was detected. Further investigations revealed the organization’s far-reaching operations, spanning coast to coast.
“Border security doesn’t just happen—it is created through innovation and enforcement,” Bovino remarked. “This organization has been dismantled from top to bottom, but we are already moving on to the next one.”
Law enforcement officials are still searching for Hernandez and are urging the public to provide any information that may lead to his arrest. Anyone with relevant details is encouraged to call the Homeland Security Investigations tip line at 1-866-347-2423.
Authorities reiterated their commitment to enforcing U.S. immigration laws, stating that failing to do so only fuels further criminal enterprises. Prosecutors, including Sean Nelson and Alia Herrera, have been working to ensure the case is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
The four defendants face charges including conspiracy to transport and harbor illegal immigrants for private financial gain, which, due to the resulting deaths, makes them eligible for life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Federal officials confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing, with the potential for further arrests. While the primary leadership of the smuggling ring has been targeted, authorities believe additional co-conspirators in the United States, Guatemala, and Mexico may also face justice.
“This is just the beginning,” one official stated. “We will continue to dismantle these organizations piece by piece.”
