A Front For Smugglers?
By Robert Arnold

POSTED: Thursday, April 9, 2009
UPDATED: 8:41 am CDT April 9, 2009



HOUSTON -- A Houston transportation company was raided by agents with Customs and Immigration Enforcement after investigators received information it was being used as a front to transport illegal immigrants to different states, KPRC Local 2 Investigates reported Wednesday.

Wendy Transportation at 6625 Harrisburg Boulevard was raided April 2, according to documents filed in Houston Federal Court.

In a criminal complaint obtained by Local 2, investigators write the business had been under investigation since November. ICE agents stated the investigation began after vans belonging to Wendy Transportation were caught carrying several illegal immigrants during separate incidents in Mississippi, Georgia and Tennessee.

During last week's raid, ICE agents said they found 23 illegal immigrants inside the business -- 14 from Mexico, three from Guatemala, four from El Salvador and two from Honduras. ICE agents stated all 23 admitted they were in the United States illegally. ICE agents reported some of the illegal immigrants told them they were charged anywhere from $1,200 to $1,800 in "smuggling fees."

The U.S. Attorney's Office charged William Yuc-Calderas, Candido Rubio-Hernandez and Jose De La Cruz with transporting and harboring illegal immigrants. Agents also confiscated $5,349 from Yuc-Calderas.

ICE officials told Local 2 the investigation is continuing.

Local 2 tried to contact the company, but a number listed for Wendy Transportation is out of service.

If you have a news tip or question for KPRC Local 2 Investigates, drop them an e-mail or call their tipline at (713) 223-TIPS (8477).


http://www.click2houston.com/news/19135597/detail.html