Mugshots of 4 arrested after DPS busts Mexican cartel human smuggling ring released
The mugshots of four people who were arrested after DPS busted a human smuggling ring with ties to Mexican cartels were released.
The sting- which was part of Texas DPS Operation Lone Star- resulted in four arrests and authorities seizing dozens of guns, body armor and thousands of rounds of ammunition.
Mexican nationals Lorena Anyla Enrique Acosta, 28, and Edmundo Rodriguez Padilla, 24, were arrested, along with two individuals from New Mexico, Adam Isaiah Ramirez, 27, and Gustavo Alexis Enriquez Acosta, 23.
According to the arrest report, Enriquez Acosta was a state police officer in Mexico and had no legal documentation to be in the U.S.
All four individuals were charged with several state and federal charges which include:
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The investigation began in October when special agents first discovered a human smuggling organization working out of El Paso and Sunland Park, with ties to the Nuevo Cartel de Juarez and La Linea Cartel, according to Texas DPS.
A DPS Highway Patrol Trooper then made a traffic stop and discovered a short-barrel firearm in the possession of someone they thought was working as security for the human smuggling operation.
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DPS Special Agents and Highway Patrol Troopers partnered up with Border Patrol and after an investigation- which included finding social media photos of the suspects heavily armed and paying tribute to La Linea Cartel- they executed a search warrant in El Paso and seized the weapons and ammunition.
A follow-up investigation- in collaboration with New Mexico State Police, Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives- led to more search warrants, this time executed in New Mexico.
Texas DPS is asking the public to say something if they see something and report suspicious activity to El Paso Crimestoppers at 915-566-8477.
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