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June 28, 2007

ICE assists in shutdown of major human smuggling organization
Multi-agency investigation one of largest in Arizona history

PHOENIX - Local and federal officers executed a series of search and arrest warrants this week targeting a large-scale human smuggling ring suspected of bringing more than 15,000 illegal aliens per year into the United States from Mexico.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and Phoenix police arrested the ring's alleged leader Roman Robaina Thursday at his home near Miramar, Fla.

The seven-month multi-agency probe involving the Phoenix Police Department, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and ICE culminated this week with the execution of eight search warrants in the Phoenix area and the arrest of 11 indicted suspects.

The investigation, begun in November 2006, revealed that the Martinez-Pacheco and Gavino smuggling organizations netted approximately $30 million dollars per year through alien smuggling and money laundering activities.

Officials say the probe was one of the largest investigations of its kind in Arizona history. So far, a total of 50 suspects have been indicted by the Arizona Attorney General's Office.

"Criminal organizations like these see people as currency. They earn millions of dollars through smuggling and the ruthless exploitation of illegal aliens," said Troy Henley, deputy special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Arizona. "By attacking these organized smuggling networks, ICE is shutting down vulnerabilities in our immigration system."

More than 260 illegal aliens were detained and turned over to ICE during the investigation. The ring smuggled illegal aliens into the United States and then to Phoenix, where they remained or were moved on to a number of other states as final destinations.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

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