Six people were arrested as El Salvador dismantled its migrant trafficking operation

Authorities in El Salvador on Saturday dismantled a migrant smuggling network bound for the United States that was charging its victims between $13,000 and $16,000, the attorney general's office reported.

Members of the Attorney General's Office, with the support of the National Civil Police, conducted a series of operations to “dismantle” the criminal gang, which alleged an amount equal to “illegal transportation of people to the United States,” the organization said on its website with X account.

Authorities issued six arrest warrants for the crimes of human trafficking and illegal associations. According to official information, among those arrested was the leader of the gang, Reina Pineda Guillén, while the others acted as promoters and transport leaders.

In addition, they seized approximately $45,740 as well as Mexican pesos, Guatemalan quetzals and Honduran lempiras. Six vehicles and two motorcycles were also confiscated, the statement said.

“The victims came from the departments of La Libertad, San Miguel and Chalatenango” and were taken to the El Poy border crossing with Honduras and Metapán with Guatemala, from where they were “transported abroad through illegal points,” it said.

Central America serves as a corridor for thousands of migrants from different parts of the world seeking to reach the United States. In addition, thousands of Central Americans are leaving their countries to escape poverty, unemployment, low wages and criminal violence.