An indictment was unsealed yesterday containing criminal charges against the alleged leader of a human smuggling organization responsible for unlawfully bringing thousands of migrants into the United States. Along with the organization, the defendant, who was arrested in Mexico at the request of the United States, has also been designated for financial sanctions by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. These developments were made possible through extensive bilateral coordination and cooperation efforts between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement authorities.
Abdul Karim Conteh, 42, a national of Sierra Leone, was arrested on July 11 in Tijuana, Mexico. The United States is pursuing Conteh’s extradition on federal charges stemming from his alleged actions in leading the human smuggling organization. His wife, Veronica Roblero Pivaral, 25, a national of Mexico, remains at large.
“In coordination with our law enforcement partners, the Justice Department has worked relentlessly to target and disrupt the unlawful, transnational human smuggling operations that endanger migrants and threaten our national security,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We allege Abdul Karim Conteh and his organization smuggled thousands of migrants from more than a dozen different countries through Mexico into the United States. He has been arrested for his alleged role in this prolific, exploitive smuggling operation by Mexican authorities, and the Justice Department will ensure that he is held accountable in an American courtroom.”
“Human smugglers exploit the vulnerable for profit,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “Along with our partners across this Administration and around the world, we are bringing the full force of the law to bear against individuals and their organizations that perpetrate this heinous crime. We couple our unrelenting efforts with this warning to would-be migrants everywhere: do not believe the smuggler’s lies and risk your lives in their ruthless hands.”
According to the indictment, Conteh’s organization allegedly smuggled thousands of migrants to the United States through Mexico. These smuggled migrants originated from countries around the world including Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Somalia, Cameroon, Senegal, Mauritania Ethiopia Egypt among others The migrants paid smuggling fees often tens of thousands dollars be transported through various countries such as Brazil Colombia Ecuador Panama Costa Rica Nicaragua Honduras Guatemala way U.S.-Mexico border
“This arrest unravels a global web of coordinated human smuggling into the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath for Southern District California “Even most far-reaching prolific networks cannot evade justice”
Conteh allegedly coordinated with Roblero co-conspirators throughout Mexico other countries facilitate global transportation migrants into through Mexico U.S border Conteh then allegedly oversaw migrants’ unlawful entry into United States by various surreptitious unlawful means including use ladders tunnels
Conteh Roblero others charged conspiracy smuggle migrants into United States which carries maximum penalty 10 years prison Conteh also charged unlawful smuggling migrants financial gain which carries mandatory minimum three years prison first two violations Additional violations carry mandatory minimum five years prison maximum penalty 15 years prison
In addition U.S Department Treasury’s Office Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added Abdul Karim Conteh Human Smuggling Organization (HSO) four individuals Specially Designated Nationals Blocked Persons List pursuant Executive Order (E.O.) 13851 amended E.O 13863 (E.O 13581 amended). For additional information actions taken OFAC please visit www.home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2470
U.S Border Patrol HSI IRS Criminal Investigation Los Angeles Field Office investigating case
Justice Department’s Office International Affairs worked Mexican authorities secure Conteh’s arrest
Assistant U.S Attorneys Ryan A Sausedo David E Fawcett Southern District California prosecuting case substantial assistance Trial Attorney Danielle Hickman Criminal Division’s Human Rights Special Prosecutions Section
These actions resulted coordinated efforts Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) Attorney General Merrick B Garland established JTFA June 2021 marshal investigative prosecutorial resources Justice Department partnership Department Homeland Security (DHS) combat rise prolific dangerous human smuggling trafficking groups operating Mexico Guatemala El Salvador Honduras JTFA comprises detailees U.S Attorneys’ Offices along southwest border including Southern District California District Arizona District New Mexico Western Southern Districts Texas Dedicated support provided numerous components Justice Department’s Criminal Division led Human Rights Special Prosecutions Section additional support Office Prosecutorial Development Assistance Training Narcotic Dangerous Drug Section Money Laundering Asset Recovery Section Office Enforcement Operations Office International Affairs Violent Crime Racketeering Section JTFA also relies substantial law enforcement investment DHS FBI DEA other partners To date JTFA work resulted more than 310 domestic international arrests leaders organizers significant facilitators human smuggling more than 250 U.S convictions more than 185 significant jail sentences imposed forfeitures substantial assets
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