Smuggling Archives

Florida Woman Faces Charges After Deadly Human Smuggling Operation Off Cuban Coast

SEBRING, Fla. — A Florida woman faces charges related to a tragic human smuggling operation that resulted in several deaths last year, officials from the United States Department of Justice announced. Yaqulelin Dominguez-Nieves, 25, from Sebring, is set to remain in custody until her trial following her arrest by Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) agents. The indictment alleges that Dominguez-Nieves played a significant role in a smuggling venture aimed at making a profit, which tragically …

Former Waupun Prison Warden Arrested: Links to Federal Smuggling Investigation and Inmate Deaths Uncovered

Waupun, Wisconsin – The former warden of Waupun Correctional Institution found himself behind bars on Wednesday, following his resignation in May amidst a tumultuous period of lockdowns, a federal smuggling investigation, and tragic inmate deaths. Randall Hepp’s incarceration was a stark turn of events for the institution, which has been under intense scrutiny since March due to alleged criminal activities taking place under its watch. The investigation has led to the suspension of multiple employees …

Bahamian National Charged in Deadly Human Smuggling Conspiracy

Miami, Florida – A Bahamian national, Vandrick Nelson Smith, also known as Muggy and Vans, has been arrested in connection with a human smuggling conspiracy that led to multiple deaths. The indictment against Smith was unsealed in the Southern District of Florida, revealing his alleged involvement in organizing dangerous human smuggling operations by boat from The Bahamas to the United States. Smith, 33, was apprehended in The Bahamas on March 6 after extensive cooperation between …

Mexican Mafia Members Charged for Narcotic Smuggling and Violent Assault in Los Angeles County Jail Operation

Los Angeles, California – Thirteen individuals linked to the Mexican Mafia prison gang face charges by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for their involvement in a drug smuggling operation and a violent assault within the Los Angeles County jail system. Members accused of orchestrating the crimes are believed to have ties to high-ranking associates of the Mexican Mafia operating outside of the prison under the direction of a incarcerated gang member. The investigation, …

tragedy strikes as Bahamian man indicted in fatal Florida-bound human smuggling case

Nassau, Bahamas: A man from the Bahamas has been indicted in connection with a human smuggling case that tragically resulted in multiple deaths in Florida. The indictment alleges that the man was involved in unlawfully transporting individuals across borders, leading to the loss of lives. The accused individual faces charges related to smuggling people into the United States, particularly Florida, where the fatal incident occurred. Reports indicate that the victims were being transported in a …

Mexican Mafia Members Charged for Narcotic Smuggling and Assault in LA County Jail System

Los Angeles, California – Thirteen individuals linked to the Mexican Mafia prison gang face charges for their involvement in a drug smuggling operation and violent assault within the Los Angeles County jail system. The investigation, led by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau and the FBI’s San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force, started in February 2022 after reports surfaced of narcotics being smuggled into the jail and a violent attack on …

13 Mexican Mafia Members Charged for Narcotic Smuggling and Violent Assault in LA County Jail System

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Thirteen individuals associated with the Mexican Mafia prison gang face charges for their alleged involvement in a narcotic smuggling operation and a violent assault at the Los Angeles County jail. Of these individuals, two remain at large, while two were arrested recently and the rest were already incarcerated on unrelated charges. The suspects are accused of coordinating the smuggling of narcotics into the Los Angeles County Jail and orchestrating an attack …

13 suspected Mexican Mafia members accused of smuggling drugs in Los Angeles area busted

Los Angeles, California – Thirteen individuals linked to the Mexican Mafia are facing charges for their alleged involvement in a drug smuggling operation within the city. The accused are said to have played various roles in the illegal activity, which authorities believe has been ongoing for a significant period of time. Authorities have indicated that the group utilized a complex network to traffic drugs into the Los Angeles area, with the aim of distribution throughout …

Member of Human Smuggling Organization Pleads Guilty in Deadliest US Human-Smuggling Case

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Another individual has pleaded guilty for their involvement in an illegal human-smuggling operation that resulted in the deaths of 53 migrants in a tractor-trailer, marking it as the deadliest human-smuggling event in U.S. history. According to court documents, Riley Covarrubias-Ponce, a 31-year-old Mexican national, was part of a human smuggling organization responsible for illegally transporting 66 adults and children from various Central American countries into the United States. Covarrubias-Ponce played a …