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.