An
international alien smuggling ring has been broken
up by the FBI, other federal agencies, and Canadian
and other foreign partners. In the course of this
investigation, certain individuals who are under
investigation, were determined to have provided
false information in an attempt to assist their
own situations. At the time this information was
initially received, combined with other investigative
and intelligence information, there was a heightened
need to determine the whereabouts of five individuals
who possibly may have entered the United States
illegally.
With
the aid of information subsequently provided by
the public, investigators were able to determine
that five individuals identified did not pose an
imminent threat to public safety. As a result, there
is no longer need for public assistance in locating
these individuals. There are ongoing investigations
both here in the U.S. and overseas that continue
to uncover and dismantle alien smuggling and fraudulent
document operations.
For example, last week federal prosecutors in the
Southern District of New York filed a criminal complaint
charging Choudry G. Muhammad and Mohammad Rana with
alien smuggling, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1324.
The complaint alleges that from at least 1997, the
defendants smuggled and assisted in the smuggling
of illegal aliens from Pakistan, among other places,
to the United States in exchange for fees of approximately
$15,000 to $30,000 per alien.
In
addition to the FBI, other agencies which participated
in this recent investigation included Office of
Homeland Security, Immigration and Naturalization
Service, U.S. Customs, Transportation Security Administration,
U.S. Coast Guard, Department of State, U.S. Marshal's
Service, and law enforcement and security agencies
in Canada and the United Kingdom.
The
FBI, as well as all of law enforcement, greatly
appreciates the cooperation of the American people,
and encourages the public to continue to be vigilant
in matters which help ensure the safety of the United
States and its citizens.
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