McALLEN, Texas ( Border Report ) — The “ringleader” of a human smuggling operation called Cobra, and five others have been sentenced to prison in South Texas, according to Homeland Security Investigations.
Saul Torres- Martinez, 42, also known as” Cobra”, has been sentenced to 110 times, or nine years in prison, the U. S. Attorney’s office said.
Chief U. S. District Judge Randy Crane, of McAllen, found Torres- Martinez, a non- member from Houston, to be the head or organizer of the contraband activity in the Rio Grande Valley. The business has been linked to a fatality and sexual abuse, according to Homeland Security Investigations.
Even sentenced on April 30 were:
- Ernesto Mata Pioquinto, 32, of Mexico, sentenced to 52 months in prison,
- Marcelino Navarro Sanchez, 31, of Mexico, sentenced to 52 months in prison,
- and Luis Esteban Martinez, 41, of Alamo, Texas, to 52 months in prison.
- Robert Hernandez, 26, of Fresno, California, was sentenced to 39 months in prison.
- Noemi Silva, 39, of Wimauma, Florida, was sentenced to 87 months in prison.
The smuggling system, according to authorities, was responsible for moving more than 100 migrants from the Mexican border to Houston between 2018 and 2019. The company conducted a two-year investigation into the trafficking system.
According to court records, the human trafficking organization is to blame for a contraband mortality and an alleged sexual abuse on another smuggler.
Although HSI has long been focused on destroying individual smuggling networks, it now concentrates more on smuggling activities that lead to immigrant deaths, according to HSI San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee. ” Human trafficking is dangerous, but as this scenario demonstrates, it can also be lethal. Pirates will continue to be investigated by HIS and brought to justice by pirates. Smugglers who defy the laws of our country and disregard human life without warning ca n’t find safe haven.
Crane noted the seriousness of the offense and expressed concern about the damage Torres-Martinez caused the neighborhood.
After serving their respective words, Torres-Martinez, Pioquinto, and Sanchez are expected to go to the eradication hearing.
Officials urge the people to report suspicious behaviour at the HSI Tip Line: (877 ) HSI- 4- Idea (877- 474- 4847 ). The collection is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Sandra Sanchez can be reached at [email protected].
