Federal prosecutors say they have broken up a sprawling, multimillion-dollar smuggling ring that ferried thousands of Cubans into the U.S., instructing them to deceive border officials and file fraudulent asylum claims to gain legal status, The Washington Times reported.
Federal officials announced Thursday that 12 people have been indicted in connection with a scheme that charged unauthorized migrants between $1,500 and $40,000 to enter America illegally. Prosecutors said the network collected at least $18 million over 4½ years, making it one of the most extensive operations of its kind.
According to the indictment, the organization not only arranged illicit crossings, but also taught migrants how to pose as Europeans to slip in under the Visa Waiver Program. It also guided them through falsified asylum applications designed to secure longer-term protection.
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