Those arrested were Los Angelinos Marisol Hernandez, 26; Jesus Bautista, 24; Miguel Contreras, 36; Sergio Mendez, 23; and Jose Gomez, 25. An arraignment was scheduled immediately following the arrest.

The investigation leading to those arrests began a few evenings prior when Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) patrol officers received word that immigrant smuggling might be underway on South Hoover Street. A neighbor had become suspicious after observing a white van unloading people.

Indeed, the undocumented Mexicans had been herded into the garage and were being held hostage while the ring leaders demanded that friends or relatives fork over $1,200 in ransom per illegal immigrant.

Two men, one of them armed, guarded the garage from inside and out. Officers arrived to find a mass of people on the floor inside, with security locks, chains and wires all over. Not surprisingly, conditions were hardly sanitary.

In an effort to determine what happened and how law enforcement should proceed, the INS proceeded to interview both the victims and their alleged captors at the agency's downtown jail.

Far from being an isolated incident, this type of kidnapping may represent a growing trend. The LAPD has seen at least three similar cases this month alone.

Previous Articles


  See What's Going on in News/Debate Forum:

  See What's Going on in Our Help/Support Forum:

Grab an immigration chat buddy!

Daily Immigration Headlines