Feds bust massive alleged Guatemalan human smuggling ring operating out of California

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Federal agents arrested two Guatemalan men on Friday accused of operating one of the largest human smuggling operations in the United States.

The two were picked up near downtown Los Angeles and are accused of moving 20,000 illegal immigrants into the U.S. from Guatemala since 2019.

Eduardo Domingo Renoj-Matul and Cristobal Mejia-Chaj each appeared in federal court hours after their arrests, and a judge ordered each held without bond. If convicted, they could each face the death penalty.

“These smuggling organizations have no regard for human life and their conduct kills,” said acting U.S. Attorney Joseph McNally. “The indictment and arrests here have dismantled one of the country’s largest and most dangerous smuggling organizations. This work saves lives, and the members of the organization will now face significant consequences.”

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Helmer Obispo Hernandez, described as a “lieutenant” in the smuggling operation, remains at large and allegedly threatened to cut the head off of a federal agent last week. (U.S. Attorney’s Office – Los Angeles)

Two other men are also charged in the case; Jose Paxtor-Oxlaj, who is behind bars in Oklahoma for his role in a 2023 car crash that killed seven migrants – including five from the same family – and Helmer Obispo-Hernandez, who is described as a “lieutenant” in the smuggling operation.

“Every day, similar human smuggling organizations put profits ahead of the safety in these reckless and illegal endeavors,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles Acting Special Agent in Charge John Pasciucco. “HSI Los Angeles and our partners are committed to continue identifying and dismantling these organizations, so no further lives are lost, and our borders are secure.”

Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles Acting Special Agent in Charge John Pasciucco said the feds are working to identify and dismantle “reckless and illegal” human smuggling organizations. (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)

Prosecutors allege Renoj-Matul, who goes by the name Turko, was the ringleader of the operation. He was working with counterparts in Guatemala who would charge migrants $15,000 to $18,000 for safe passage to the United States.

Once here, the migrants were then charged again for additional transport across the country. Renoj-Matul’s indictment alleges migrants under his direction were moved to at least 20 states and Washington, D.C.

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It is believed that migrants who did not pay were held hostage in a stash house in the same Los Angeles neighborhood where Renoj-Matul and Mejia-Chaj were arrested.

Operation ringleader Eduardo Domingo Renoj-Matul, who goes by “Turko,” allegedly worked with counterparts in Guatemala who would charge migrants $15,000 to $18,000 for safe passage to the United States. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

In one incident last year, prosecutors alleged Renoj-Matul called the mother of a migrant he was holding hostage and threatened that she “would come home in a box” if her smuggling fees were not paid.

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Obispo-Hernandez remains at large and faces additional charges for threatening to cut off the head of a Homeland Security Investigations officer who served a search warrant at his house on Friday.