A notorious figure in the realm of human trafficking, Martin Garcia-Velazquez, also known as "Tucan," has admitted to facilitating the illegal entry of more than 1,000 immigrants across the southern border into Phoenix, Arizona.

This revelation sheds light on the persistent challenge of unlawful immigration that continues to afflict states bordering the southern frontier. Garcia-Velazquez, recently sentenced to 7 ½ years in prison for his involvement, confessed to orchestrating the transportation and sheltering of undocumented individuals for financial gain. The US District Attorney’s office in Arizona confirmed his guilty plea to charges of conspiracy to transport and harbor illegal aliens.

In a significant development, the Mexican national was also handed a 35-month supervised release term and mandated to pay a $5,000 special assessment. His disclosure unveiled a scheme where he oversaw the movement of migrants from the Mexico border to various residences in and around Phoenix, positioning himself as a pivotal figure in the illicit human trafficking network. Following an extensive inquiry by the Department of Justice, three accomplices, previously prosecuted in October, were implicated in the operation.

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The comprehensive investigation, spearheaded by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents, culminated in the confiscation and forfeiture of more than $1 million in illicit proceeds, alongside the seizure of five firearms and five vehicles. The Department of Justice underscored the significance of this prosecution within the framework of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative, aimed at dismantling criminal syndicates that pose a threat to the nation.

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Against the backdrop of escalating border activities, the Arizona-Mexico frontier has emerged as a focal point for illegal crossings. Border Patrol statistics for the initial four months of fiscal year 2024 reveal the apprehension of over 250,000 migrants in the vicinity of Tucson, marking the highest figure recorded in any region under Border Patrol jurisdiction along the southern border.