Six suspected Guatemalan human smugglers were arrested in connection with a December 2021 incident in Mexico, where a semi-truck containing illegal immigrants crashed, killing at least 50 and injuring more than 100, the Department of Justice said Monday.
Guatemala law enforcement acted on provisional U.S. arrest warrants for Tomas Quino Canil, 36; Alberto Marcario Chitic, also known as Alberto De Jesus, 31; Oswaldo Manuel Zavala Quino, also known as Osvaldo ZQ, 24; and Josefa Quino Canil De Zavala, 42. A fifth Guatemalan national, Jorge Agapito Ventura, was arrested at his residence in Cleveland, Texas, the DOJ said in a news release. Guatemala officials reportedly noted a sixth arrest, and a sixth name listed in the criminal complaint was blacked out.
Each was charged in the Southern District of Texas with conspiracy to bring an alien to the United States, placing life in jeopardy, causing serious bodily injury, and resulting in death.
"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 [of] over 50 people and injured over 100 more," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in the news release. "Human smugglers should heed these charges and arrests as a warning: You will be held accountable for your deadly crimes."
The criminal complaint revealed that from October 2021 to February 2023, the suspects conspired with other smugglers to facilitate the travel of illegal immigrants from Guatemala through Mexico to the U.S. The defendants allegedly recruited Guatemalan migrants – including unaccompanied minors – collected payment, and arranged for travel to the U.S.
Some of the illegal immigrants recruited died or were seriously injured when a semi-truck packed with at least 160 of them, many Guatemalans, crashed into a support for a pedestrian bridge and overturned on Dec. 9, 2021. The crash occurred near Tuxtla Gutiérrez, the capital of Chiapas state, which borders most of western Guatemala. The arrests were announced on the three-year anniversary of the accident.
"Three years ago today, in Chiapas, Mexico, a place known for natural wonder and cultural richness, a scene of unimaginable tragedy unfurled," said U.S. Attorney Alamdar Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas, according to the news release. "Our investigation into this catastrophic event that killed over 50 people, including children, signifies the unwavering commitment of the Southern District of Texas to hold those who engage in human smuggling accountable, irrespective of where their actions or the resultant harm occur.
"While this crash transpired beyond our borders, it is imperative that the pursuit of justice transcends those boundaries. Today, we reiterate our commitment to ensuring that those allegedly responsible for exploiting the vulnerabilities of families seeking refuge and opportunity face the full force of the law."
The Department of Homeland Security's Global Investigation Group investigated the case in partnership with its counterparts in Guatemala and Mexico, the DOJ said. Garland also noted he was "proud of the outstanding work of the prosecutors and investigators" of Joint Task Force Alpha, whose work has resulted in more than 330 domestic and international arrests and more than 275 convictions of leaders, organizers, and facilitators of human trafficking.
Michael Katz ✉
Michael Katz is a Newsmax reporter with more than 30 years of experience reporting and editing on news, culture, and politics.
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