Diplomatic Security Helps Target Human Smugglers In Colombia

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS), in coordination with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Colombian authorities, collaborated in Operation Grand Scheme, a joint investigation to target a human smuggling ring based in Bogota, Colombia. The smuggling ring provided individuals fraudulent documents for a fee of $5,000 in order to gain access to the United States. The arrests took place on June 4, 2008 in Bogota, Popayan and Cali, Colombia.

The investigation led to Colombian authorities arresting 17 persons. The arrested individuals face Colombian criminal charges ranging from human smuggling and conspiracy, to producing and selling false identity documents. Each individual arrested faces the possibility of 20 years in prison under Colombian law.

The investigation revealed that the smuggling ring coached applicants, provided false supporting documents, and produced false identities for U.S. visa applicants intending to fraudulently enter the United States. The investigation further determined that the smuggling ring moved persons to Portugal, Spain, and the United States through Canada, Costa Rica, and Mexico.

Operation Grand Scheme highlights the cooperative efforts between the Colombian Departamento Administrativo de Seguridad, the Colombian Fiscalia, and the U.S. Embassy in Bogota.

Patrick D. Donovan, acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS), stated, “It’s this type of close, worldwide law enforcement liaison capability that gives Diplomatic Security the unparalleled ability to conduct criminal investigations worldwide. These arrests were a direct result of law enforcement coordination and field efforts by Diplomatic Security, ICE, and Colombian law enforcement officials.”

This arrest is indicative of the international law enforcement work that DS special agents overseas undertake everyday.

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security is the U.S. Department of State’s law enforcement and security arm. The special agents, engineers, and security professionals of the Bureau are responsible for the security of 285 U.S. diplomatic missions around the world. In the United States, Diplomatic Security personnel protect the U.S. Secretary of State and high-ranking foreign dignitaries and officials visiting the United States, investigate passport and visa fraud, and conduct personnel security investigations. In 2007, DS participated in 1,955 arrests globally, primarily for passport and visa fraud, including 406 arrests overseas in cooperation with foreign police. Read more in the U.S. Department of State’s Visa and Passport Security Strategic Plan at: http://www.state.gov/m/ds/rls/rpt/79895.htm. Additional information about the U.S. Department of State and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security may be obtained at www.state.gov/m/ds.

Contact:
Robert Downen
Diplomatic Security Public Affairs
571-345-2509