Suspected leader of human smuggling group sent to San Diego
Alleged Leader of Human Smuggling Organization Extradited to San Diego
In an exciting development, the alleged leader of a “prolific” human smuggling organization has been extradited to San Diego to face federal charges. Luis Antonio Mendez-Brahan, 55, of Tijuana, is accused of bringing hundreds of migrants into the United States, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors claim that Mendez-Brahan operated this smuggling organization for nearly a decade, charging migrants between $6,000 and $8,000 for their illegal entry into the country. The U.S. Attorney’s Office revealed that financial transactions conducted by Mendez-Brahan’s children in the United States led law enforcement to track the money to Tijuana’s money service businesses, ultimately leading to his arrest.
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Interestingly, three of Mendez-Brahan’s children—Wendy Monserrath Mendez, Christopher Mendez, and Nancy Jacqueline Suarez—have already pleaded guilty and received sentences for their involvement in their father’s alleged smuggling operation.
Mendez-Brahan was indicted by a grand jury in 2019 on charges of conspiring to bring illegal immigrants into the U.S. and five counts of bringing unlawful immigrants into the country. However, he managed to evade capture until now.
According to the U.S. Attorney of Southern California, Mendez-Brahan’s organization operated in a location east of the Tecate Port of Entry. They employed a network of ever-changing spotters, guides, and drivers to successfully smuggle the illegal immigrants across the border.
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