The U.S. Department of Justice has announced that four Mexican nationals have been charged with operating a human smuggling ring, facilitating the transport of individuals across the Canadian border into the United States. The charges were detailed in a news release on May 2, 2025.

The defendants, identified as Edgar Sanchez-Solis (23), Ignacio Diaz-Perez (35), Samuel Diaz-Perez (26), and Salvador Diaz-Diaz (32), are alleged to have charged thousands of dollars to smuggle people from Mexico into Canada and then across the border into northern New York. Matthew R. Galeotti, head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, stated, "As alleged, these defendants illegally entered this country and then sought to smuggle hundreds of aliens per week to the United States from Mexico, Central America, and South America through the Canadian border."

The smuggling organization operated for two years across Mexico, Canada, and the United States, engaging in dangerous high-speed chases with local and federal law enforcement along the Canada-U.S. border. The department highlighted two significant incidents involving the organization. In April 2023, smugglers were pursued by border patrol after triggering a sensor, leading to a vehicle stop that uncovered seven adults and three minors being transported illegally.

In another incident three months later, members of the same group were involved in a traffic accident after driving erratically and running a red light, which resulted in a collision with another vehicle. While the driver and six passengers fled the scene, law enforcement eventually apprehended them.

Galeotti expressed concern over the conduct of the defendants, noting that, "the men made people record testimonial videos about their services but in reality, the defendants imperiled their human cargo and innocent American lives when they repeatedly engaged in life-threatening conduct, including multiple high-speed getaways from law enforcement."

The defendants have been charged with conspiracy to smuggle individuals into the United States and 25 counts of bringing people illegally to the country for profit. The Justice Department reported that two of the accused were arrested within the U.S., while the other two had previously been removed from the country.