Federal authorities have dismantled a massive human smuggling operation responsible for trafficking 20,000 illegal immigrants into the United States, with smugglers charging up to $18,000 per migrant and threatening families with death if payments weren’t completed.
Quick Takes
- Four Guatemalan nationals have been arrested for operating a smuggling ring that transported at least 20,000 illegal immigrants into the US over the past 5 years
- Migrants paid up to $18,000 for the journey and were held hostage in Los Angeles under death threats until payments were completed
- The smuggling operation was connected to a fatal 2023 traffic accident in Oklahoma that killed seven people, including a child
- The accused smugglers face charges including hostage-taking and human smuggling, with potential penalties including death or life imprisonment
- This major bust represents a significant win for President Trump’s intensified border security efforts
Massive Criminal Enterprise Dismantled
Federal authorities have arrested three members of a Guatemalan criminal enterprise responsible for smuggling at least 20,000 illegal immigrants into the United States since 2019. Eduardo Domingo Ranoj-Matul, identified as the operation’s leader, along with lieutenants Jose Paxtor-Oxlaj and Cristobal Mejia-Chaj now face serious charges including hostage-taking and human smuggling. A fourth suspect, Helmer Obispo-Hernandez, remains at large and is additionally charged with threatening a federal law enforcement officer. The operation had been running for at least 12 years, with authorities documenting 20,000 migrants from 2019 through July 2024 alone.
The criminal network charged migrants up to $18,000 for transportation from Guatemala through Mexico and into the United States. Working with Mexican smuggling operations, the ring facilitated the dangerous journey across multiple borders. Upon arrival in the U.S., migrants were held in Los Angeles stash houses until their families completed payment. Those unable to pay faced dire consequences. Prosecutors revealed migrants were told they “would come home in a box” if payments weren’t made, with threats extended to family members still in Guatemala.
BREAKING: A Guatemalan illegal alien who has been living in the sanctuary city of Los Angeles has been arrested & indicted by DOJ for allegedly running one of the largest human smuggling orgs in the U.S., a ring that smuggled roughly 20,000 illegal aliens from Guatemala into the… pic.twitter.com/2f9ihOr9fv
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) March 3, 2025
Deadly Consequences of Human Trafficking
The investigation accelerated following a deadly 2023 traffic accident in Oklahoma linked to the smuggling operation. Seven people, including a child, were killed when a vehicle carrying smuggled migrants crashed while attempting to evade authorities. Jose Paxtor-Oxlaj, who received $300 per migrant he transported, was involved in the fatal incident and now faces charges of smuggling resulting in death. This tragedy highlights the callous disregard smugglers have for the lives of those they transport, treating them merely as profitable cargo rather than human beings.
“These smuggling organizations have no regard for human life and their conduct kills” – Acting US Attorney, Joseph T. McNally
The organization’s operations were particularly brutal. Beyond the dangerous journey itself, which exposed migrants to extreme weather, criminal elements, and physical hardship, those who arrived were essentially held hostage in the United States. The smugglers maintained strict control over their human cargo, refusing to release migrants until receiving full payment regardless of the conditions in which they were held. The operation also engaged in money laundering through Los Angeles financial institutions to conceal their criminal proceeds.
Trump Administration’s Border Security Victory
This major bust represents a significant win for President Trump’s renewed efforts to secure the southern border and combat illegal immigration. At a March 3 press conference in Los Angeles, Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph McNally declared authorities “have dismantled one of the country’s largest and most dangerous smuggling organizations.” The accused face severe consequences if convicted, including the possibility of the death penalty or life imprisonment, reflecting the severity of their crimes and the Trump administration’s commitment to punishing those who violate immigration laws.
Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino praised the collaborative efforts that led to dismantling the organization, highlighting the importance of interagency cooperation in addressing complex transnational crime. Deputy Special Agent Duane Engelbrecht emphasized the critical role of public assistance in combating human smuggling, encouraging citizens to report suspicious activity. This bust represents just one part of the Trump administration’s comprehensive approach to border security, which has already resulted in a significant decrease in illegal border crossings since the President returned to office.
