Texas arrests target human smuggling

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — Nearly a dozen people have been arrested in a purported south Texas human- smuggling ring operating since March.

Federal prosecutors in Brownsville on Thursday announced the suspects are charged with conspiracy and harboring aliens.

U. S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson says a nine- count indictment was returned Tuesday, leading to arrests on Wednesday. The defendants are from La Feria, Brownsville, Alton and Harlingen.

Magidson says the suspects are accused of operating an immigrant- smuggling scheme and providing the individuals with fake identification documents.

The indictment also includes a notice of forfeiture of two residential properties in La Feria and Harlingen.