Prolific human smuggler brought to U.S. on Feb, 21, DOJ says

PHOENIX — A man believed to be a prolific human smuggler who illegally brought people into the U.S. for several years was recently extradited from Mexico, authorities said.

Mexican authorities arrested 49-year-old Raul Saucedo-Huipio on March 2, 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

Saucedo-Huipio was brought to the U.S. last Friday. On that same day, he made his initial court appearance related to charges he faced in Arizona, the DOJ said.

Authorities say he was part of international human smuggling operation

He and his co-conspirator, 60-year-old Ofelia Hernandez-Salas, were allegedly involved in a yearslong international smuggling operation along the U.S.-Mexico border, according to the DOJ.

The two worked with other smugglers to illegally bring thousands of undocumented migrants into the U.S. since at least 2018, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Hernandez-Salas pleaded guilty on Dec. 18 to conspiring to commit human smuggling as well as various counts of bringing undocumented migrants to the U.S., according to the DOJ.

Man accused of being prolific human smuggler faces various accusations

Saucedo-Huipio and Hernandez-Salas allegedly helped bring thousands of people into U.S. from various countries, including:

• Bangladesh, Yemen and Pakistan.
• Eritrea, India and the United Arab Emirates.
• Uzbekistan, Russia and Egypt.
• Brazil, Peru and Ecuador.
• Colombia, Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
• El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico.

The undocumented migrants allegedly paid Saucedo-Huipio and Hernandez-Salas tens of thousands of dollars to illegally enter the U.S.

The two told the migrants where to sneak in and provided them with a ladder they could use to climb over the border fence, according to the DOJ.

Not only that, but the duo, who was armed with guns and knives, also robbed the migrants of money and personal belongings, the DOJ said.