US arrests 192 on immigrant-smuggling charges in Texas, seizes $625,000 in 'Operation Coyote'


  • Article by: ALICIA A. CALDWELL , Associated Press
  • Updated: July 22, 2014 - 2:00 PM


WASHINGTON — The Homeland Security Department says it has seized more than $625,000 and arrested 192 people in a crackdown on human smuggling along the Mexican border in South Texas.

The government's crackdown, called "Operation Coyote," is another front in the Obama administration's ongoing effort to slow the flood of tens of thousands of unaccompanied children and families caught crossing the border illegally in South Texas this year. The operation took place over the last month.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement says 501 immigrants in the country illegally have also been taken into custody as part of a 90-day operation targeting smuggling groups.

ICE says the money was seized from 228 bank accounts held by suspected human- and drug-smuggling groups.

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