Alleged Leader of Migrant Smuggling Network Arrested in Ciudad Juarez
Ciudad Juarez, March 14 – Mexican and US federal forces have arrested the alleged leader of a criminal organization dedicated to trafficking Guatemalan migrants to the United States, primarily to the border city of El Paso, Texas. The operation, which took place yesterday, also led to the arrest of four other individuals in Ciudad Juarez.
Ulises Lara, spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), identified the detained leader as Gonzalo “N”, known as “El Bori”. He is accused of heading a network involved in the illegal transfer of people across the US border.
Operation Centered in Ciudad Juarez
Investigations indicate that the organization primarily operated in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, where they coordinated the irregular crossing of migrants. During the operation, four other individuals were apprehended at various addresses in the city, which allegedly served as operational centers for the criminal network. All those arrested are being investigated for organized crime with the purpose of human trafficking.
According to official information, the group has been using “safe houses” since at least 2024 to shelter Guatemalan migrants while preparing their transfer to the border and subsequent illegal entry into the United States.
Inter-Agency Collaboration Leads to Arrests
The deployment involved the participation of several Mexican federal agencies, including the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection, the National Guard, the Secretariat of the Navy, and the National Intelligence Center. Crucially, the operation also benefited from the collaboration of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The detainees have been placed at the disposal of a control judge, who will determine their legal status in the coming days.
Part of Broader Bi-National Efforts
This operation is part of ongoing cooperation efforts between Mexico and the United States in security, migration, and the fight against criminal networks that profit from the illegal movement of people across the border.
The arrests underscore the commitment of both nations to combat human trafficking and ensure border security.
