http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_4345745

Six of the 33 undocumented immigrants found Thursday in a Northeast home were allegedly the group's smugglers, connected to a major international human smuggling ring, officials of Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Friday.
The alleged smugglers were arrested Thursday and charged Friday with harboring and conspiracy to harbor more than 25 undocumented immigrants.

Among them are Israel Villegas Feregrino, 24, who is suspected of belonging to a major international smuggling ring, officials said.

Also arrested were Carlos Vallinas Bautista, 20; Juan Carlos Perez Perez, 18; Rafael Chavez Peña, 24; Margarito Wenceslao Mesquite, 33; and Eduardo Benitez Benitez, 19. All are from the Mexican state of Hidalgo and were in the United States illegally.

Thursday morning, Border Patrol agents found 25 men and seven women in a house in the 3800 block of Mountain Street.

All of the immigrants appeared to be in good health but were dirty and living in cramped quarters, officials said. It was not known Friday how long they had been at the house.

"Human smuggling represents a serious threat to the security of the homeland and protection of our borders," said Troy Henley, special agent in charge of the ICE El Paso Office of Investigations.

"ICE special agents are continuing to aggressively investigate this criminal activity, and seek prosecution of these organizations," Henley said.

The suspects had their initial court appearance Friday in U.S. District Court, where they were informed of the charges against them.

On Wednesday, they will appear before U.S. Magristrate Judge Richard Mesa for a preliminary and bond hearing. All of the suspects are being held in the El Paso County Jail, officials said.