The gang coordinated the movement of migrants to Colombia, then to Panama, Mexico, until they reached their final destination: the United States.
Ipiales, Colombia
In a mega-operation carried out in the border city of Ipiales, off Ecuador, a gang that was allegedly dedicated to migrant smuggling was dismantled. The Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) of the United States Embassy, the Department of Migration, the Police and the Colombian Army participated in this operation.
Nine alleged members of the self-styled Sin Fronteras network were detained. The First Criminal Court of Ipiales imposed an assurance measure on them.
Those involved allegedly committed crimes in the vicinity of the Rumichaca international bridge and in the irregular passages that connect with Ecuador (Ipiales and Tulcán). According to the neighboring country’s police, after the pandemic, the trails increased by 65 unauthorized passages for the commission of various crimes.
A source from the Colombian Prosecutor’s Office argued that this criminal group was engaged in the illegal entry into Colombia of citizens of Haiti, Cuba, Sierra Leone (Africa), Bangladesh, China, Syria and Iraq, who were mobilized from Tulcán (Ecuador) to that city border.
The total opening of the border between Ecuador and Colombia must complete three phases
Since May 2020, as reported, the gang coordinated the land displacement of migrants to the municipalities of Necoclí (Antioquia) and Acandí (Chocó) to reach Panama, and from there they went to Mexico to their final destination: the States United.
Investigations indicate that the detainees were allegedly in charge of providing lodging, transportation and falsification of immigration documents and passports, for which they charged between $ 250 and $ 300 for each migrant, depending on their nationality.
What’s more, the structure obtained weekly profits of up to $ 10,000 for each bus dispatched from Ipiales to Necoclí. It was also determined that, to carry out these transfers, the Sin Fronteras gang used tourism companies as a front, with trips to the Chocoan population of Acandí, charging between $ 150 and $ 200 for maritime transport.
Four boats entered surveillance operations in the border area of Sucumbíos
The defendants were captured by judicial order during the operation carried out by servers of the Technical Investigation Corps (CTI), together with agents of the Sijín of the National Police, uniformed Army and Colombian Immigration officials.
The authorities seized eight cell phones that were in the possession of those investigated, who, according to the investigations, did not accept responsibility for the crimes attributed to them. However, the Colombian Prosecutor’s Office charged the defendants with their alleged responsibility in the crimes of conspiracy to commit a crime and smuggling of migrants, during the hearing for the formulation of charges.
All the defendants are Colombian: Luis RZ, alias Lucifer, alleged leader of the criminal structure; Wilmer RM, aka Pin Pin; Jhon RZ, aka Mono; Édgar T., aka Grandpa; Édgar EY, alias Zancudo; Jorge GP, aka This; Marvin T. Ch., alias the black; Jorge R. S., alias Chamizo; and Gustavo OA, aliases Caleño. One more person, who is being held in the prison in that city for the same crimes, was linked to the process.
To cross the border between Ecuador and Colombia, you must have a complete vaccination or present a PCR test
Two weeks ago, 16 members of another gang were apprehended in Tulcán, between Venezuelans and Ecuadorians, who were operating outside the land terminal. They are linked to the criminal group Tren de Aragua, which operates in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Chile.
The Carchi judge ordered, in the latter case, precautionary measures and released them. These gangs, according to police reports, have a connection between Tulcán and Ipiales. (I)
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