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Transnational Crime

Last Updated: | Press Releases

MS-13 Gang Members Sentenced for Over 20 Years in Prison for Racketeering Conspiracy, Conspiracy to Commit Murder

SAN JOSE — Erick Escalante-Torres and Jose Noe Ramirez-Avelar were sentenced today to 27 years and 11 months in prison and 22 years in prison, respectively, for racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, and other crimes.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

HSI Chicago Investigation Lands Chinese National 10 Years in Prison for Laundering $62 Million in Drug Proceeds

CHICAGO — A federal judge in Chicago has sentenced a Chinese national to a decade in prison for laundering $62 million in illegal drug proceeds on behalf of traffickers in Mexico after an HSI Chicago investigation.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

Chinese National Pleads Guilty to Gift Card Fraud Scheme

OCALA, Fla. — A Chinese national has pleaded guilty to the possession of more than 6,100 unauthorized gift cards in a scheme to defraud consumers and major retailers out of $1.9 million following a joint investigation with HSI Orlando and the Ocala Police Department.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

Former Leader of the Gulf Cartel Removed After Being Released From Prison

HARLINGEN, Texas — The former head of the notorious Gulf Cartel was turned over Dec. 16 to Mexican law enforcement officials by U.S. ICE ERO officers at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

North Carolina Men Sentenced in International Money Laundering Conspiracy

ALBANY, N.Y. — An investigation by HSI Albany, in coordination with foreign and domestic law enforcement partners, led to the Dec. 4 sentencing of three men from North Carolina in connection with a scheme to smuggle cut rag tobacco into Canada from the United States.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

Treasury Targets Cartel-Enabled Illegal Fishing Operations Following HSI RGV Investigation

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned five Mexican individuals Nov. 26 associated with the Gulf Cartel. The investigation is being conducted by HSI, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

HSI Miami El Dorado Taskforce Multiagency Investigation Uncovers Money Laundering Scheme of Proceeds From Drug Sales Into Cryptocurrency for Mexican Cartels

MIAMI — Nine individuals in the Southern District of Florida were charged for conspiring to launder U.S. currency into cryptocurrency on behalf of drug cartels in Mexico and Colombia and for the operation of an unlicensed money transmitting business in a joint investigation by HSI and law enforcement partners.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

HSI El Paso, US Border Patrol Arrest Alleged Smuggler, Rescue 4-Year-Old Girl, Infant

EL PASO, Texas — Special agents from HSI El Paso and U.S. Border Patrol agents rescued a 4-year-old girl from Guatemala and an infant Nov. 8 who smugglers separated from their parents.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

48 Defendants Charged in Imperial Valley Takedown of Drug Trafficking Network Linked to Sinaloa Cartel

EL CENTRO — Five indictments were unsealed in federal court today charging 48 alleged members of an Imperial Valley-based, Sinaloa Cartel-linked drug trafficking organization accused of distributing methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin and bulk cash smuggling.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

Siblings Sent to Prison for Roles in Human Smuggling Following HSI Laredo, Federal Partner Investigation

LAREDO, Texas — Two individuals have been sentenced for their roles in a Laredo human smuggling conspiracy, following an investigation by HSI, the Laredo Police Department, and the U.S. Border Patrol, who conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation.