The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed that several individuals involved in a large-scale human smuggling operation have been sentenced to life in prison. Prosecutors proved that the traffickers charged migrants between $12,000 and $15,000 each to enter the United States, often under dangerous conditions. The group of migrants found in the truck included 27 people from Mexico, 7 from Guatemala, 2 from El Salvador, 14 from Honduras, and 3 others whose nationalities remain unconfirmed.
Five additional individuals had previously been convicted for their roles in the operation: Riley Covarrubias-Ponce (aka “Rrili” or “Rilay”), Luis Alberto Rivera Leal, Christian Martínez, Homero Zamorano Jr., and Juan Francisco D’Luna Bilbao. U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, “These criminals will spend the rest of their lives in prison for their cruel decision to profit from human suffering.”
