An international task force arrested five people in connection with a human smuggling operation linked to a mass casualty semi truck crash in 2021.
On December 9, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas announced the arrest of the following five Guatemalans on human smuggling charges:
- Tomas Quino Canil, 36
- Alberto Marcario Chitic, 31
- Oswaldo Manuel Zavala Quino, 24
- Josefa Quino Canil De Zavala, 42
- Jorge Agapito Ventura, 32
Officials say they have linked all five men to a crash that occurred on December 9, 2021, in Chiapas, Mexico, during which a semi truck loaded with at least 160 migrants overturned, leaving over 50 people dead and 100 others injured.
The truck was reportedly traveling at a high rate of speed when it overturned on a curve and struck a bridge.
The indictment alleges that the five men conspired with other smugglers to facilitate the travel of migrants from Guatemala though Mexico with the intended destination of the United States.
Officials say that the co-conspirators communicated with one another from within Guatemala and the United States to facilitate migrants’ journey to and throughout the United States, and used the Facebook Messenger app to deliver identification documents and written scripts that included instructions on what unaccompanied minors should say if or when they were apprehended by U.S. immigration authorities.
The arrests were made as part of an enforcement operation called “Joint Task Force Alpha” involving the U.S. Justice Department and Guatemalan authorities.
“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. Human smugglers should heed these charges and arrests as a warning: you will be held accountable for your deadly crimes,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Since we launched Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) more than three years ago, we have secured more than 330 domestic and international arrests and more than 275 convictions on smuggling offenses, as well as significant jail sentences and substantial forfeitures. We will continue to work across agencies and across borders to stop the scourge of human smuggling.”
“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, thanks to the investigative work of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents and our federal and international partners,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “The tragedy that occurred three years ago today in Chiapas is further proof that human smugglers are ruthless, callous, and dangerous — intending migrants should not believe their lies. DHS will continue to disrupt and dismantle illegal human smuggling operations and help bring those who perpetrate such horror to justice.”