A major blow to the structures that profit from the border crisis. Federal authorities arrest leader of a migrant smuggling ring that operated one of the most dangerous routes to the United States.
The operation, carried out after months of intelligence, dismantles a key organization involved in the massive movement of people from southern Mexico.
Immigrant smuggling ring leader arrested
#FGRInforma | Exhaustive intelligence work between the @FGR_AIC, the @GabSeguridadMX and the international collaboration of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, allowed the identification of an organization dedicated to the smuggling of migrant persons, coming from… pic.twitter.com/Zsibs5ip43
– FGR Mexico (@FGRMexico) March 13, 2026
Mexican law enforcement agents arrested the alleged leader of a criminal organization dedicated to smuggling migrants from Guatemala to the United States, specifically to the border city of El Paso (Texas), in an operation in which authorities from the neighboring country collaborated.
In a recorded message, the spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), Ulises Lara, identified the arrested man as Gonzalo ‘N’, alias El Bori, who he accused of leading a network dedicated to smuggling migrants into the United States through the border crossing between the Mexican city of Ciudad Juarez, in the northern state of Chihuahua, and the Texas town of El Paso.
Along with him, the agents arrested four more people in different homes in Ciudad Juarez, where they allegedly had their place of operations.
Investigators charge them with organized crime for the purpose of committing human trafficking.
At least since 2024 they had “safe houses” to house migrants from Guatemala until they could smuggle them into U.S. territory, the Attorney General’s Office spokesman said Friday.
The operation involved personnel from the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection, the National Guard, the Navy and the National Intelligence Center, as well as the collaboration of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The suspects were presented before a judge to determine their legal status.
This operation takes place in a context of cooperation between the United States and Mexico on issues such as migration, security and drug trafficking, according to the governments of both nations.
The Mexican government’s position has been to prioritize the protection of migrants’ rights, while continuing to coordinate with U.S. agencies responsible for immigration policy and border security.
Filed under: Immigrant smuggling network leader arrested
With information from EFE