Four Mexican nationals residing unlawfully in the U.S. have been indicted for their involvement in an international conspiracy to smuggle aliens across the Canadian border into the United States. The individuals in question are Edgar Sanchez-Solis, 23, residing in Kansas City, Kansas; Ignacio Diaz-Perez, 35, in Oakwood, Georgia; Samuel Diaz-Perez, 26, in Dublin, Ohio; and Salvador Diaz-Diaz, 32, in Columbus, Ohio. They face charges of conspiracy to bring aliens to the United States and 25 counts of bringing aliens illegally for profit.
"These defendants illegally entered this country and then sought to smuggle hundreds of aliens per week to the United States from Mexico, Central America, and South America through the Canadian border," said Matthew R. Galeotti, of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. The defendants allegedly encouraged smuggled aliens to make videos promoting the enterprise's services, despite the dangerous and illegal nature of their activities.
"This case demonstrates our relentless efforts to secure our northern border against the criminal organizations profiting from human smuggling and other illegal activities," said U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III for the Northern District of New York. The smuggling organization is said to have been active for two years across Mexico, Canada, and the United States, charging thousands of dollars for their services.
According to court documents, defendants and accomplices facilitated travel from Mexico to Canada and then across the U.S. border. At times, this resulted in dangerous high-speed chases with law enforcement, posing wide-reaching public safety risks. Several incidents from 2023 involved high-speed getaways, including one where smugglers were stopped only by a tire deflation device.
"These individuals acted in blatant disregard of our nation’s laws, allegedly smuggling hundreds of aliens into the United States for thousands of dollars each," stated Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Buffalo. Chief Patrol Agent Robert N. Garcia of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Swanton Sector added, "The days of catch-and-release are over, and the reality is clear; if you attempt to enter the United States illegally, if you attempt to smuggle or traffic human beings, you will be apprehended and you will face severe consequences."
The investigation was part of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), which receives support from various components of the Justice and Homeland Security Departments. The case is prosecuted by Trial Attorney Jenna Reed and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carling Dunham, both for the Northern District of New York.
This initiative is part of Operation Take Back America, aimed at eliminating illegal immigration and dismantling criminal organizations. The defendants await trial, and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.