Brazil’s Federal Police on Thursday conducted raids in six states targeting a criminal group suspected of smuggling migrants to the United States.
The police said the group lured Asian migrants, primarily from Bangladesh and Nepal, to Sao Paulo International Airport. From there, the suspects led them on dangerous routes to northern Brazil, where they crossed into neighboring countries, such as Bolivia and Peru, before continuing through Central America to reach the U.S.-Mexico border.
Police say the suspects charged migrants $10,000 each for the trip and managed a network of people — including taxi drivers, coyotes and hotel employees — who facilitated the illicit journey.
