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-Lurid Crime Tales-
Two Human Trafficking Leaders arrested for smuggling 20,000 migrants into US
2025-03-04
[KhaamaPress] Federal authorities have arrested two leaders of a criminal group suspected of trafficking 20,000 migrants colonists to Los Angeles, United States. The arrests were made in connection with the group’s operation, which involved smuggling migrants colonists from Guatemala into the U.S. According to reports, these leaders were charging up to $18,000 per person to facilitate their entry into the U.S.

According to reports, these leaders were charging up to $18,000 per person to facilitate their entry into the U.S.
The two individuals, identified as Eduardo Domingo Renoj-Matul known as "Turko"and Cristobal Mejia-Chaj, were arrested last Friday. U.S. authorities have labeled Turco as the head of one of the largest human trafficking organizations operating in the United States. The arrested individuals were in the U.S. illegally and were collecting substantial fees from migrants colonists to help them cross through Mexico and reach Los Angeles.

According to reports, those who could not afford the fees were held as hostages in a hideout near Los Angeles. The authorities suggest that the suspects could face life sentences if convicted. This case highlights the ongoing illegal migrant trafficking operations that are exploiting vulnerable individuals seeking a better life.

In addition to this, the Trump administration has significantly escalated efforts to deport undocumented migrants colonists from the United States. The administration’s strict policies, including ramped-up deportations, have placed immense pressure on migrant communities, especially those from Central America.
The Daily Wire adds:
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that four different Guatemalan illegal aliens had been captured in connection to the massive smuggling ring and could now face the death penalty for their role in a trafficking operation that resulted in the death of migrants, Acting United States Attorney Joseph T. McNally told The Daily Wire.

“Eduardo Domingo Renoj-Matul, 51, a.k.a. ‘Turko,’ of the Westlake neighborhood near downtown Los Angeles, was arrested Friday morning along with his alleged right-hand man, Cristobal Mejia-Chaj, 49, also of the Westlake neighborhood,” McNally’s office said. Renoj-Matul is believed to have smuggled “approximately 20,000 illegal immigrants from 2019 through July 2024.”

“Also charged in the indictment are Helmer Obispo-Hernandez, 41, a.k.a. ‘Xavi,’ a lieutenant in the criminal organization who is a fugitive, and Jose Paxtor-Oxlaj, 44, a driver for the smuggling organization who is incarcerated in Oklahoma in connection with the fatal November 2023 car accident,” it says.

In addition to allegedly smuggling illegal aliens into the United States, Helmer Obispo-Hernandez allegedly threatened to “cut off the heads of a Homeland Security Investigations Task Force Officer and members of his family” after his residence was searched by federal authorities.

“All four defendants are charged with one count of conspiracy to bring aliens to the United States, transporting aliens in the United States, and harboring aliens in the United States for private financial gain and resulting in death,” the DOJ release explains.

The smuggling operations also resulted in the deaths of seven individuals, including one four-year-old boy.

“Paxtor-Oxlaj caused a car accident in Elk City, Oklahoma, while he was smuggling illegal immigrants from New York to Los Angeles,” the DOJ explained. “That car accident resulted in the deaths of seven people who were passengers in the vehicle he drove. Of the seven people killed, three were minors, including a 4-year-old child.”

Two more illegal aliens believed to be tied to Renoj-Matul’s smuggling ring were also captured in Los Angeles last week.
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