ICYMI: Two Arrested in Deadly Texas Smuggling Plot After Boat Full of Migrants Vanishes
A human smuggling operation goes horribly wrong, with 40 migrants lost at sea—now, two men face charges in connection to the deadly conspiracy. 🌐 #News #SanAntonioTX #Texas #Crime
SAN ANTONIO, TX – In a dramatic twist to an ongoing human smuggling case tied to Texas, two Colombian nationals have been arrested in connection with a conspiracy that led to the disappearance of a boat carrying 40 migrants. The arrests, which were made at the request of the United States, shine a spotlight on the dangerous network responsible for this life-threatening operation. The boat, which vanished on October 21, 2023, was en route to Nicaragua when it mysteriously disappeared, leaving its passengers and crew in peril.
Arrests Made in Colombia Following U.S. Investigation
On December 13, 2024, Colombian authorities detained Hernando Manuel de la Cruz Rivera Orjuela, 52, and Luis Enrique Linero Pinto, 40, after an indictment was returned in Texas.
The men are charged in a human smuggling conspiracy that involved transporting migrants from various locations to the United States. The charges stem from their involvement in a transnational network that aimed to shuttle migrants from Colombia to the U.S. via dangerous routes across Central America and Mexico.
The U.S. Department of Justice detailed how Rivera Orjuela and Linero Pinto allegedly played key roles in organizing and guiding migrants to San Andres Island, where they were then transported by boat to Nicaragua. The pair reportedly handled the logistics, including arranging accommodations for the migrants and even advising them on how to evade detection by local authorities.
A Deadly Operation with Deadly Consequences
The human smuggling conspiracy took a tragic turn when one boat, carrying 40 migrants and two boat captains, disappeared without a trace on its journey to Nicaragua. This incident, which occurred on October 21, 2023, left many concerned about the safety of the migrants involved, as well as the reckless disregard for human life that the smuggling operation demonstrated.
According to the indictment, Linero Pinto played a crucial role in ensuring the boats could travel without interference. He is accused of bribing Colombian Navy personnel to gain intelligence on patrol routes, allowing the smuggling vessels to avoid detection.
“These alleged conspirators orchestrated a complex human smuggling operation that recklessly risked human lives for ill-gotten gain,” said Katrina W. Berger, Executive Associate Director of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
“HSI remains committed to dismantling human smuggling networks that exploit and subject their victims to hazardous and oppressive conditions.”
Serious Charges and Potential Legal Consequences
Both Rivera Orjuela and Linero Pinto face serious legal repercussions. They are charged with conspiracy to encourage and induce unlawful aliens to come to, enter, and reside in the United States, and with placing lives in jeopardy during that conspiracy. If convicted, each man could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
“As alleged in the indictment, these defendants are charged for their roles in the disappearance of dozens of migrants, and the allegations detail many of the dangers we see too often in combating human smuggling — from bribery to the deadly risks migrants take every day,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas.
RELATED TOPICS: Colombia | Crime | Texas
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