LAREDO, Texas — Two high ranking cartel members were sentenced to prison for their roles in an extensive human smuggling conspiracy involving Cartel del Noreste (CDN) following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Laredo Police Department and the U.S. Border Patrol, who conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces investigation with the assistance of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Francisco Suarez, 20, of Laredo and Luis Daniel Segura Guzman, 26, a Mexican citizen residing in Laredo were sentenced Oct. 30 by U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña to a 33-month term of imprisonment for Suarez, while Segura received 30 months. Both must serve three years of supervised release following their sentences. Not a U.S. citizen, Guzman is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that Suarez and Segura were a part of Los Fantasmas, a gang and alien smuggling organization who works hand-in-hand with Mexican cartels. Judge Saldaña imposed sentencing enhancements that held each responsible for smuggling at least 100 aliens or more. The court commented that both were “committed to this lifestyle” and noted the importance of imposing a sentence that would deter them from becoming involved in this conduct in the future. Suarez pleaded guilty Dec. 20, 2023, and Guzman on Jan. 18, 2023.
“Cartel activity in the South Texas area will not be tolerated,” said HSI San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee. “HSI and our law enforcement partners are working around the clock to disrupt and dismantle human smuggling organizations with our law enforcement partners. This case exemplifies the incredible work going on every day by HSI and our partners to protect the American public from dangerous criminal networks that demonstrate no regard for human life.”
Another co-conspirator Bernardo Aniceto Garza, 27, of Laredo, also pleaded guilty and is set for sentencing Nov. 4.
“Cartel del Noreste, a Mexican cartel, is known for engaging in ruthless acts of violence and extortion to support its drug trafficking operations, and in recent years it has added human smuggling to its list of illicit money-making operations, with Facebook and social media becoming invaluable tools to facilitate its new venture,” said Hamdani. “CDN uses these platforms to recruit, coordinate and expand its criminal operations, reaching broader audiences, while putting countless lives at risk. For years, Suarez and Guzman used Facebook to exploit and profit from vulnerable individuals while also evading detection, but thanks to the efforts of my office, those days are now over.”
According to court documents, on Aug. 23, 2023, authorities discovered a Facebook post that appeared to be advertising transportation services for undocumented aliens via sleeper cabs of tractor trailers. The investigation revealed Segura coordinated the transportation of three undocumented aliens for approximately $8,000 and arranged for a Garza to make the pickup in Laredo that afternoon. Authorities were able to apprehend Garza and found two women and a 15-year-old minor inside a parked tractor. All were citizens of Mexico and El Salvador and illegally present in the United States. Law enforcement also discovered a firearm inside the vehicle Garza was driving.
On Sept. 16, 2023, authorities encountered Segura in Laredo. He admitted the CDN had recruited him in Mexico to smuggle aliens and that he worked with Suarez to do so. Law enforcement located a cell phone in Segura’s possession that was still logged into the Facebook account used to advertise and coordinate the August smuggling event. Suarez was acting as a scout in a separate smuggling attempt Sept. 19, 2023, when law enforcement arrested him. He admitted he worked for Garza and had provided him with the three migrants authorities caught Garza transporting. The investigation also identified Suarez as a stash house operator responsible for harboring undocumented individuals.
An analysis of Segura’s phone revealed his involvement in the smuggling of at least 133 undocumented individuals. Historical data and messages traced Segura’s smuggling activities back to May 2020. The phone also contained detailed information, including photographs and identifying information of suspected migrants, screenshots of smuggling routes and deposit receipts for payments tied to smuggling services.
Authorities found similar information on Suarez’s cell phone which included photos of approximately 300 unique individuals illegally smuggled across the border, including children, dating back to September 2022.
The men remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas and JTFA detailee Jennifer Day prosecuted this case.
HSI San Antonio continues to address the serious public safety threat posed by human smuggling organizations and their reckless disregard for the health and safety of the people they exploit. To report suspicious smuggling activity, you are urged to call 866-348-2423.