Leaders of Major US Human Smuggling Ring Arrested

Charged in deaths and $18K per person smuggling scheme

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Posted Mar 4, 2025 1:15 AM CST

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Leaders of Major US Human Smuggling Ring Arrested — Acting United States Attorney Joe McNally, of the Central District of California, announced arrests of a transnational criminal organization that allegedly smuggled approximately 20,000 immigrants from Guatemala to the United States over five years on Monday, March 3, 2025, in Los Angeles. They are... (Sarah Reingewirtz/The Orange County Register via AP)

Federal authorities have arrested two alleged leaders of a smuggling organization in Los Angeles. Eduardo Domingo Renoj-Matul, also known as "Turko," and his lieutenant, Cristobal Mejia-Chaj, are accused of smuggling around 20,000 people from Guatemala to the US. They charged $15,000 to $18,000 per person, authorities say. A federal judge has ordered them jailed without bond until their April trial. The organization has allegedly operated for over a decade and is accused of causing seven deaths, including a child, in a November 2023 Oklahoma crash.

Jose Paxtor-Oxlaj, a driver involved in the crash, is also in custody. Helmer Obispo-Hernandez, another lieutenant, faces charges too but is believed to be in Guatemala. Migrants unable to pay the smuggling fees were held hostage in Los Angeles, prosecutors say. Acting US Attorney Joseph T. McNally said: "These smuggling organizations have no regard for human life and their conduct kills." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)