Operation -ËœEn Fuego- Dismantles Massive Human Smuggling Organization

Phoenix, Arizona - A major Phoenix-based smuggling organization has been broken up and 35 individuals have been indicted on felony charges relating to human smuggling. The indictment is the result of a seven-month investigation by the Arizona Financial Crimes Task Force, comprised of the Arizona Attorney Generals Office, Phoenix Police Department, Arizona Department of Public Safety and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with the U.S. Border Patrol. The Palacios-Alfaro smuggling organization was led by Rosalio Palacios-Alfaro, aka Chali, 26, of Phoenix, and Hector Moises Ibarra Ramirez, aka Guero, 28, of Phoenix. Both men are Mexican citizens living in Phoenix illegally. The organization is believed to have been active for approximately two years. It allegedly contracted with multiple smuggling organizations to transport 40 to 90 undocumented immigrants per week from Phoenix to their final destinations throughout the United States. According to investigators, the organization transported four to six van-loads of 10 to 15 people weekly. It charged smugglers $700 per person to provide transportation, generating as much as $7,000 to $10,500 in cash per van load for their services. Vans allegedly traveled in a steady rotation with drivers, often taking non-stop round trips to and from East Coast cities. Coyote smugglers typically charge $2,500 to smuggle an individual from Mexico to his or her destination city in the U.S. Out of this fee, border organizers pay a variety of sub-contractors along the route, including drop house operators, bank account holders and load drivers. Each of these services had a fee which is paid by the border organizer for each person smuggled. The border organizers are typically responsible for arranging the collection of money from sponsor families as each individual is smuggled into the United States. In this investigation, the border organizers used money transmitters to collect an initial payment of $1,800 per person to illegally smuggle migrants from Mexico to Phoenix-area drop houses. The Palacios-Alfaro organization allegedly contracted to transport undocumented immigrants from these drop houses to their final destination, at which time the driver collected a $700 transportation fee from each sponsor family. The drivers were paid $100 per person, and the remainder was carried back to Palacios-Alfaro. Operation En Fuego, began in June 2008 as a result of a separate investigation into the kidnapping/homicide of another coyote smuggler. It concluded last Tuesday with a round-up that resulted in the arrest of 12 of the 35 individuals charged in this case. The charges against the defendants include participating in a criminal syndicate, illegally conducting an enterprise, money laundering, as well as conspiracy to commit illegal use of a wire or electronic communication, selling dangerous drugs and narcotic drugs and/or smuggling human beings for profit. The defendants arrested, all but two of whom are in this country illegally, include: * Rosalio Palacios-Alfaro, aka Chali, 26, of Phoenix, in this country illegally. * Hector Moises Ibarra Ramirez, aka Guero, 28, of Phoenix, in this country illegally. * Paul Castillon, 28, of Phoenix. * Arely Morales Jimenez, 24, of Phoenix, in this country illegally. * Luis Esteban Arellano-Andrade, aka Jarocho, 34, of Phoenix, in this country illegally. * Israel Ibarra Ramirez, aka Fino, 26, of Phoenix, in this country illegally. * Thalia Vega Solis, 18, of Phoenix, in this country illegally. * Wilfredo Rodriguez Tapanes, aka Cuba, 42, of Phoenix. * Angel Hernandez Aguilar, aka Culebra, 26, of Phoenix, in this country illegally. * Kenia Martinez Rodriguez, 31, of Phoenix, in this country illegally. * Frey Bersain Dominguez, aka Frai, 31, of Phoenix, in this country illegally. * Limber Espinoza Dominguez, aka Linber, 19, of Phoenix, in this country illegally. Since June 2008, Operation En Fuego has led to the discovery and closure of five drop houses and the detention of 86 undocumented immigrants who have been turned over to ICE for deportation. Seizures made during Tuesdays round-up include $39,000 in U.S. currency, 15 vehicles and an SKS Assault rifle.