San Diego BEST Combats Human Smuggling and Trafficking

  • Dec 09, 2011

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

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

  • AI Used as Part of Sophisticated Espionage Campaign

    A cybersecurity inflection point has been reached in which AI models has become genuinely useful in cybersecurity operation. But to no surprise, they can used for both good works and ill will. Systemic evaluations show cyber capabilities double in six months, and they have been tracking real-world cyberattacks showing how malicious actors were using AI capabilities. These capabilities were predicted and are expected to evolve, but what stood out for researchers was how quickly they have done so, at scale. Read Now

  • Why the Future of Video Security Is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reasons. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.