Four Mexican nationals living unlawfully in the United States have been charged in an international conspiracy to smuggle aliens from Canada into the United States for profit, federal authorities announced Friday.
Edgar Sanchez-Solis, 23, Ignacio Diaz-Perez, 35, Samuel Diaz-Perez, 26, and Salvador Diaz-Diaz, 32, were indicted on conspiracy and 25 counts of bringing aliens into the United States illegally. All four were arrested at multiple U.S. locations and remain detained. Ignacio Diaz-Perez and Salvador Diaz-Diaz had been previously deported.
“These defendants illegally entered this country and then sought to smuggle hundreds of aliens per week,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “They imperiled their human cargo and innocent American lives when they repeatedly engaged in life-threatening conduct, including multiple high-speed getaways from law enforcement.”
United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said, “This case demonstrates our relentless efforts to secure our northern border from the criminal organizations profiting from human smuggling.”
According to court documents, the defendants participated in an organization operating for two years across Mexico, Canada, and the United States. They allegedly facilitated the illegal travel of aliens from Mexico to Canada and then across the northern U.S. border, primarily in Franklin and Clinton Counties in New York. Smuggled aliens or their families paid thousands of dollars for the service.
The organization’s members allegedly endangered public safety by leading law enforcement on multiple high-speed chases. In April 2023, smugglers fled the Burke Border Patrol Station after triggering a sensor, transporting seven adults and three minors before being stopped. In May 2023, a van carrying aliens fled from law enforcement and was stopped with a tire deflation device; the smugglers and aliens fled on foot. In August 2023, a vehicle fleeing from Border Patrol in Plattsburgh ran a red light, struck another car, and its occupants fled before being caught.
“These individuals acted in blatant disregard of our nation’s laws,” said Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan of Homeland Security Investigations Buffalo. “They’re alleged to have repeatedly put the public at risk through dangerous vehicle chases.”
Chief Patrol Agent Robert N. Garcia of the Swanton Sector said, “The days of catch-and-release are over… if you attempt to smuggle or traffic human beings, you will be apprehended and you will face severe consequences.”
The investigation was led by Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), with contributions from the U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, and other agencies. JTFA focuses on dismantling smuggling networks impacting the U.S. border and has so far achieved over 360 arrests and 330 convictions.
Trial Attorney Jenna Reed and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carling Dunham are prosecuting the case.
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