The Department of Homeland Security said agents have arrested nearly 200 and seized roughly $625,000 in cash from a monthlong investigation of human smuggling into Texas — an operation that feds say only proves that they mean business with border security.
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said the arrests show “that if you enter the United States illegally, we will send you back,” Reuters reported. “Equally important, those who prey upon migrants for financial gain will be targeted, arrested and prosecuted.”
Mr. Johnson also said that the federal authorities are honing in on the human smuggling trade.
“We are focusing on the pocketbooks of these human smugglers, including their money-laundering activities in the United States — working with our Mexican and Central American partners to track, interdict and seize the money flowing through Mexico and Central America,” he said, Reuters reported.
The monthlong investigation has yielded the arrest of 192 suspected smugglers and smuggler associates, and the apprehension of more than 501 illegal immigrants, Mr. Johnson said. It’s also brought substantial revenues — $625,000 — from seizures of 288 different bank accounts believed to be held by drug and human traffickers, Reuters reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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