Costa-Rican police smash human retailer for Asian migrants

Costa-Rican police smash human retailer for Asian migrants

Kostarrican authorities have arrested 19 people who are accused of human trafficking with hundreds of predominantly Asian migrants to the United States. These arrests took place on Wednesday during large -scale raids in several cities. The aim was to disturb a network that is called "transnational organized crime structure" by the immigration authority Costa Ricas that specializes in human trafficking and money laundering.

goals of the raids

The raids were carried out in apartments and hotels in Corredores and Los Chiles - places where the criminal network allegedly migrants of various nationalities, especially from China and Vietnam. According to a press release from the Costa Ricas public prosecutor, migrants were hidden in "various hotels". When executing their search resolutions, the police also discovered "high -caliber weapons and cash".

Overview of those affected

The police stated that at least 437 people were illegally introduced to Costa Rica in various ways - on land, on water and in the air. The majority came from China, but also Vietnamese, Venezolan, Ecuadorian and Peruvian victims were among them.

costs of human trade

"After these migrants were illegally introduced in Costa Rica", the explanation continues. "Human dealers demanded amounts of $ 7,000, depending on nationality, up to $ 40,000 for these criminals." According to the deputy attorney in general, Mauricio Boraschi, who spoke at a press conference, "the migrants, as soon as they were in the hands of this criminal group, were also illegally brought to the border with Nicaragua to continue their way to the United States."

Investigations and collaborations

A published by the police on social media Video Search two different buildings in residential areas with rammingbucks, bolt cutters and rifles, whereby at least one person seems to be arrested. In the same video, Commissioner Enrique Arguedas from the Immigration Authority Costa Ricas explained that the investigation had started over a year ago in cooperation with the authorities of Panama.

recruitment by criminal organizations

The victims "were recruited by various criminal organizations that operated between Panama and Costa Rica and the movement of the migrants towards the northern continent, especially the United States," said Arguedas.

legal status of the arrested

When asked whether the arrested legal representation had, the public prosecutor's office Costa Ricas CNN announced that the deters would probably be released on Wednesday with lawyers. However, it is emphasized that "the searches are still underway."