By Trend News Line 2024-03-29 11:27:40.
Second Venezuelan National Arrested in El Paso Migrant-Smuggling Scheme
In a recent turn of events in El Paso, Texas, two Venezuelan nationals have been apprehended in connection with separate migrant-smuggling attempts in West Texas. The latest incident involves the arrest of Argelis Jose Mundarai Salazar, who was taken into custody by undercover Border Patrol agents in a hotel room on the 7100 block of Gateway East Boulevard.
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Details of the Arrest
Mundarai was allegedly found in charge of two female undocumented migrants staying in room 222 of the hotel. The agents arrived at the hotel after detaining an associate of Mundarai, who was trying to pick up four individuals near the Ysleta Port of Entry. The driver, Rafael Samaniego Torres, confessed that he was to be paid $300 for every migrant he delivered to the hotel room.
Previous Violations
Records show that both Samaniego and Mundarai have had previous run-ins with immigration authorities in the U.S. Mundarai was arrested in Las Cruces, New Mexico, in 2023 on a federal immigration charge and in New York in 2024 on state charges of petty larceny and possession of stolen property.
Chase and Apprehension
The chase involving the Venezuelan asylum-seeker in Crockett County ended with the arrest of the driver and the apprehension of 10 unauthorized migrants from Mexico. The pursuit began in Terrell County and concluded north of Ozona, Texas. The migrants were handed over to the U.S. Border Patrol for processing, while the asylum-seeker was transferred to the Texas Department of Public Safety for further investigation.
Investigation and Interrogation
During the interrogation of Mundarai at the Border Patrol’s Ysleta Station, it was discovered that he was not being truthful. Samaniego, who claimed Mundarai was his boss and shared profits from smuggling ventures, allowed investigators to examine his phone, revealing incriminating conversations between the two individuals.
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Legal Proceedings
Both Mundarai and Samaniego were scheduled to appear at a detention hearing in a federal courtroom in El Paso. The investigation into their involvement in migrant smuggling continues, as authorities work to dismantle such criminal enterprises operating in the region.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as more information comes to light. Your source for the latest news along the U.S.-Mexico border..
alleged asylum seeker
multi-county chase.
