San Diego BEST Combats Human Smuggling and Trafficking

Every day, human smuggling and trafficking groups like the CARLOS human smuggling organization attempt to illegally bring people across U.S. borders. Organized, adaptive and vicious, these groups have little regard for human life and even less respect for the law.

Unfortunately for these criminals, the special agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) are dedicated to combating them on every front and are tireless in their defense of our nation's security.

This point was highlighted when special agents with the ICE HSI-led San Diego Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) successfully executed four federal residential search warrants, two vehicle search warrants, eight criminal arrest warrants, and nine administrative arrests in Los Angeles, Orange County, and Jacumba, Calif., on Nov. 16.

The operation culminated a complex human smuggling investigation that began in June 2010. It was led by the ICE HSI office in Santa Ana, Calif., and U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Office of Border Patrol. Special agents focused on members of the CARLOS human smuggling organization, which was responsible for at least 60 human smuggling events. One of those arrested was the leader of the CARLOS human smuggling organization, Gil Reyes-Cruz.

"The San Diego BEST's mission is to identify, disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal organizations posing significant threats to border security," said Erik Cortes, unit chief, National BEST Unit. "Our special agents and task force members employ the full range of ICE's authorities and those of their respective agencies to enforce federal, state and international laws that secure our borders and combat transnational crime."

BESTs were formed throughout the U.S. and in Mexico in response to surges in cross-border crime and violence by Mexican drug cartels and criminal smuggling organizations employing predatory tactics to realize profits. Each BEST is a multi-agency team consisting of ICE HSI special agents and federal, state, local and foreign law enforcement counterparts.

"San Diego and other BEST units attack and dismantle transnational criminal organizations from the top leadership down to their supporting elements," said Cortes. "In short, we take the fight to transnational criminal organizations and deny them all havens of operation."

Since their inception, BEST investigators have collectively initiated more than 5,980 cases. These actions have resulted in more than 7,273 criminal and 5,778 administrative arrests, and seizures of more than 663,764 pounds of illicit drugs and $83.5 million in currency.

Learn more about BESTs.

SOURCE: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Featured

  • Making the Grade with Locks and Door Hardware

    Managing and maintaining locks and door hardware across a school district or university campus is a big responsibility. A building’s security needs to change over time as occupancy and use demands evolve, which can make it even more challenging. Knowing the basics of common door hardware, including locks, panic devices and door closers, can make a difference in daily operations and emergency situations. Read Now

  • Choosing the Right Solution

    Today, there is a strong shift from on-prem installations to cloud or hybrid-cloud deployments. As reported in the 2024 Genetec State of Physical Security report, 66% of end users said they will move to managing or storing more physical security in the cloud over the next two years. Read Now

  • New Report Reveals Top Security Risks for U.S. Retail Chains

    Interface Systems, a provider of security, actionable insights, and purpose-built networks for multi-location businesses, has released its 2024 State of Remote Video Monitoring in Retail Chains report. The detailed study analyzed over 2 million monitoring requests across 4,156 retail locations in the United States from September 2023 to August 2024. Read Now

  • Gaining a Competitive Edge

    Ask most companies about their future technology plans and the answers will most likely include AI. Then ask how they plan to deploy it, and that is where the responses may start to vary. Every company has unique surveillance requirements that are based on market focus, scale, scope, risk tolerance, geographic area and, of course, budget. Those factors all play a role in deciding how to configure a surveillance system, and how to effectively implement technologies like AI. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation. 3

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities 3

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis. 3