Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have arrested six alleged members of a human trafficking ring that was smuggling nine immigrants killed in van wreck in South Texas on Tuesday.
A criminal complaint filed Thursday says ICE agents arrested Carmelo Diaz, Gloria Solis, Alexander Barrios Grajales, Alejandro Garcia Nava, Jose Vega Zapata and Luis Julian Vargas. The arrest was first reported by The McAllen Monitor newspaper.
ICE's investigation led to discovery of a stash house to where the victims were being transported. A dozen illegal immigrants were located there. At least four of the survivors of the crash were detained as material witnesses.
The 15-year-old driver of the van lost control of the vehicle while fleeing from Border Patrol agents. He was arrested by Palmview police but is not facing federal charges.
