06.19.07
Agents bust alleged smuggling ring 'mastermind,' 2 others

June 19, 2007 10:16 AM PDT


Courtesy ICE

EL PASO, Tx. - US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents arrested the accused mastermind of an alien smuggling organization, his son and one of their associates.

According to ICE officials, 46-year-old Ramon Felix, also known as "Gerber," is suspected of being the mastermind of the Ramon Felix criminal organization.

He and his 24-year-old son, Pablo Felix, were both arrested at their East El Paso home in the 1200 block of Roswell Road Monday afternoon.

Officials tell ABC-7 that the elder Felix allegedly hired commercial truck drivers to transport illegal aliens to U.S. cities, such as Albuquerque and Dallas.

ICE agents also arrested 50-year-old Herminia Guzman-Rubalcava, also known as "La Guera" in her Lower Valley home in the 8500 block of Victor Lane.

All three are scheduled to make their initial appearance in federal court Tuesday.

They are named in a three-count indictment along with other unidentified co-conspirators. They are criminally charged with conspiracy to smuggle aliens, conspiracy to aid/assist previously deported and convicted aggravated felons, and aiding and abetting in transporting illegal aliens.

ICE officials add that the Felix Organization is suspected of smuggling hundreds of illegal aliens though El Paso in the past three years, and transporting them on 18-wheelers from El Paso to various other cities in the US.

The arrests resulted from an ICE investigation lasting more than two years. Officials tell ABC-7 that the investigation is continuing; and more related arrests are expected.







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