SAN DIEGO — Nineteen alleged members of a human smuggling organization have been criminally charged for coordinating the smuggling of dozens of unauthorized migrants into the U.S. from Mexico, mostly aboard personal watercraft via the Pacific Ocean. Nine of the 19 are in custody. A grand jury returned an indictment against 14 members of the organization, and a complaint was filed against an additional five. Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) San Diego Marine Task Force, the U.S. Border Patrol and the U.S. Coast Guard investigated this case.
“Every aspect of human smuggling — whether it be by land, sea or aircraft — puts lives at risk,” said HSI San Diego acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Davis. “HSI and our partner agencies are committed to curbing this illegal activity that’s solely designed to enrich greedy smugglers’ financial pockets.”
The nine arrested defendants were taken into custody at ports of entry or elsewhere in San Diego during a multiagency enforcement effort last week. The remaining defendants are fugitives. Federal agents served court-authorized search warrants at suspected stash houses in San Diego and Los Angeles. Among other things, agents seized over $100,000 in U.S. currency and two boxes of ammunition during the enforcement operations. Agents previously seized more than $120,000 during the investigation.
“The Justice Department is committed to dismantling transnational human smuggling operations that prey on migrants and threaten our national security,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Nefarious organizations like the one charged in this case can expect to answer for their alleged crimes in American courtrooms.”
“Human smuggling cases are a top priority because lives are at stake,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “Whether racing a jet ski up the coast without lifejackets or hauling a tractor trailer packed with people, smugglers expose vulnerable migrants to extreme danger and prioritize profit over human life.”
According to the indictment and complaint, the defendants participated in a long-running conspiracy to illegally bring people from Mexico into the United States by land and sea. The organization arranged for transport from Mexico by personal watercraft to coastal areas such as Sunset Cliffs, Bird Rock in La Jolla, and Imperial Beach, often at night and in dangerous conditions. Smugglers favor personal watercraft for their speed and ability to approach shore quickly, allowing rapid drop-offs and evasion of authorities.
The charging documents allege the defendants were also responsible for transporting the migrants further within the United States, whether driving themselves or coordinating with other drivers, including to Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Las Vegas. The organization allegedly charged between approximately $7,000 and $16,000 per smuggled person and transported tens of thousands of dollars in profits from San Diego to Mexico.
The following defendants are in custody for Case Number 24-CR-1448-AJB:
- Edgar Jimenez Macias, 33, of Tijuana, Mexico.
- Alex Ceja Guzman aka Alejandro aka Gordo, 30, of Tijuana, Mexico.
- Tobias Julian Burgara Gonzalez, 32, of Tijuana, Mexico.
- Junior Zavala Ramirez aka JR, 34, of Tecate, Mexico.
- The following defendants are in custody for Case Number 24-MJ-2728-SBC:
- Ivan Pulido Jauregui, 49, of Nayarit, Mexico.
- Manuel Lopez aka Tortillero, 26, of Nayarit, Mexico.
- Jesus Misael Molina Flores, 20, of Nayarit, Mexico.
- Alexis Adrien Villela Inda, 29, of Nayarit, Mexico.
- Mateo Adrian Alduenda Guitierrez, 26, or Nayarit, Mexico.
The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
“This indictment serves as notice to those transnational criminal organizations operating along our coastal border that it is only a matter of time before they are brought to justice,” said San Diego Sector Chief Border Patrol Agent Patricia McGurk-Daniel. “Our focus continues to be on protecting our nation, and we will leverage all available resources to hold these criminals accountable for their actions.”
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter Horn, David Fawcett — who is detailed to Joint Task Force Alpha, a partnership between the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division and the Department of Homeland Security — and Lawrence Casper for the Southern District of California are prosecuting the case.
The prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multiagency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
These actions are also the result of coordinated efforts of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). Attorney General Merrick B. Garland established JTFA in June 2021 to marshal the investigative and prosecutorial resources of the Department of Justice, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to combat the rise in prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. JTFA comprises detailees from U.S. attorneys’ offices along the southwest border, including the Southern District of California, the District of Arizona, the District of New Mexico, and the Western and Southern Districts of Texas.
Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, and supported by the:
- Office of Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training
- Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section
- Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section
- Office of Enforcement Operations
- Office of International Affairs
- Violent Crime and Racketeering Section
JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 310 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers and significant facilitators of human smuggling; more than 250 U.S. convictions; more than 185 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.