An international law enforcement operation has led to the arrest of five Guatemalan nationals charged in connection with a 2021 mass casualty event in Chiapas, Mexico. The incident involved a semi-trailer truck carrying at least 160 migrants, many from Guatemala, which crashed and resulted in over 50 deaths and more than 100 injuries. This operation was conducted by the Justice Department in collaboration with Guatemalan authorities.
The arrested individuals include Tomas Quino Canil, Alberto Marcario Chitic (also known as Alberto De Jesus), Oswaldo Manuel Zavala Quino (also known as Osvaldo ZQ), Josefa Quino Canil De Zavala, and Jorge Agapito Ventura. While four were apprehended in Guatemala, Ventura was arrested in Cleveland, Texas. All have been indicted in the Southern District of Texas.
According to an unsealed indictment, between October 2021 and February 2023, these defendants allegedly conspired with others to smuggle migrants from Guatemala through Mexico to the United States. They are accused of recruiting migrants, collecting payments, and arranging travel. Some migrants reportedly received scripts on what to say if caught by authorities. Tragically, some of these migrants died or were injured during the December 9 crash.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated: “The Justice Department is holding accountable the individuals who we allege preyed on vulnerable migrants and are responsible for this heinous crime that resulted in the deaths over 50 people and injured over 100 more." He added that since launching Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) over three years ago, they have achieved significant arrests and convictions related to smuggling offenses.
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas remarked: “Today, the alleged perpetrators of an abhorrent crime — one that resulted in the senseless deaths of more than 50 migrants and the injury of more than 100 others — are being held accountable.” He emphasized DHS's commitment to disrupting illegal human smuggling operations.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri highlighted that today's announcement demonstrates their commitment to holding smugglers accountable regardless of location.
U.S. Attorney Alamdar Hamdani expressed commitment towards ensuring justice transcends borders: “Our investigation into this catastrophic event that killed over 50 people... signifies the unwavering commitment...to hold those who engage in human smuggling accountable.”
HSI Executive Associate Director Katrina W. Berger praised efforts leading up to these arrests: “HSI remains committed to dismantling human smuggling networks that exploit and mislead migrants.”
The case was investigated by HSI’s Global Investigation Group alongside partners from HSI Guatemala and Mexico among others. Assistance came from various U.S agencies including Customs & Border Protection’s National Targeting Center along with Liberty County Constable Precinct Six among others.
Trial Attorney Danielle Hickman alongside Assistant U.S Attorney Jennifer Day will prosecute this case aided significantly by HRSP Latin American Specialist Joanna Crandall among other experts within JTFA framework created back June '21 under Garland's directive aimed at combating dangerous trafficking groups operating across Central America regions such as El Salvador Honduras Colombia Panama Darién etc., supported heavily via DOJ components like OPDAT Narcotic Dangerous Drug Section Money Laundering Asset Recovery Section Office Enforcement Operations OIA Violent Crime Racketeering Section et al., relying extensively upon DHS FBI DEA partnerships too; resulting thus far into numerous domestic/international leader organizer facilitator arrests yielding multiple convictions jail sentences asset forfeitures cumulatively speaking since inception thereof altogether now nearing several hundred marks respectively all told accordingly per official records maintained duly therein likewise 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effort attempt trial experiment test evaluation assessment analysis review critique appraisal examination investigation study survey poll questionnaire interview focus group panel workshop seminar conference symposium colloquium roundtable forum meeting gathering assembly convention congress summit council board committee commission task force working party team unit department division branch section office bureau agency institution organization association society club league union guild fraternity sorority brotherhood sisterhood order lodge chapter circle network alliance coalition federation confederation partnership collaboration cooperative consortium joint venture merger acquisition takeover buyout buy-in spin-off divestiture liquidation bankruptcy insolvency reorganization restructuring consolidation integration amalgamation combination unification harmonization alignment realignment readjustment adaptation modification alteration change transformation conversion evolution 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