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This investigation focuses on the Divas trafficking organization, targeting the website owner and leaders involved in the recruitment and forced prostitution of Argentinean females. Challenges include limited surveillance tools and lack of victim support.
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Examples of collaborative TIP investigations Juan C. EstradaActing ICE AttachéMexico
Divas Trafficking Investigation ICE Agents assigned to G-TIP debrief an Argentinean female concerning www.Divas.com.mx a possible trafficking organization. ICE Agents open case focusing on web site owner Ignacio SATOYO-Cervantes a.k.a. SONI The organization is also run by Jose Antonio MARTINEZ-Villeda a.k.a “TONY” Feb. 2007 “TONY” was arrested along with 9 Argentinean females, 2 are trafficking victims. 3
Divas Trafficking Investigation May 2006, Mexican authorities arrest several Argentinean females on prostitution charges ICE agents debrief females in Mexico while they await deportation to Argentina Some females claim they were recruited as dancers through the web site www.Divas.com.mx Once the females arrived in Mexico some were forced into prostitution and some were held against their will ICE focuses investigation on web site owner and several reputed leaders of the Divas organization Feb 2007, based on information provided by ICE/G-TIP, Mexican authorities arrest “TONY” March 2007, Mexican authorities serve search warrants on “Tony’s” Home. As a result of evidence gained from the search warrants, Mexican authorities requested and were granted a court authorized wire. 4
Divas Trafficking Investigation Pre-Arrest Keeping any operational plan quiet until the last minute Organization leaders use prostitutes as a communication network Organization has a very good information and protection network Organization continuously attempts to pay-off local authorities Organization leaders are quickly tipped off Inexperienced law enforcement working trafficking cases Surveillance Issues; lack of forensic computers Inexperienced Mexican forensic specialist Lack of telephone intercepting equipment 5
Divas Trafficking Investigation Post-Arrest No separate holding facility for Material Witnesses No facility for trafficking victims Delay in obtaining Search Warrants Lack of experienced Mexican forensic specialist to process evidence Lack of witness/victim centered investigations. No NGO on site No medical attention for trafficking victims 6
Divas Trafficking Investigation NGO’s need to play a larger role in the rescue operation Joint trafficking investigations between G-TIP and foreign authorities can be successful Hold daily operational debriefings with all agencies involved Split Attaché time between office and field Media must be leveraged but controlled Coordination between domestic and foreign offices Reports need to be made in a timely manner to Attaché office and to Head Quarters office 7
Laguna Trafficking Case The PGR takes a witness statement and prepares an informative report. The report contains information concerning a possible trafficking victim. The victim is a 14 year-old Mexican national who was believed to be held in the South Eastern United States. The PGR sends an Official Request for assistance to the office of ICE Attaché Mexico City.
Laguna Trafficking Case ICE Agents assigned to the G-TIP initiative Mexico City begin to verify the information contained in the PGR official request. A “Proof of Life” call is placed to the last known location where the victim is believed to be held. Based on the information ICE Mexico City opens a case and requests collateral assistance from the ICE office where the victim is believed to be held.
Laguna Trafficking Case ICE Agents in the South Eastern United States initiate surveillance operations at several location identified through intelligence provided by ICE Agents in Mexico City.
Laguna Trafficking Case After overnight surveillance, ICE Agents launched several operations in an effort to rescue any possible trafficking victims. During the operation, ICE Agents rescued two female trafficking victims, a 14 year old and a 19 year old, both Mexican nationals. Additionally, a Mexican national male who was believed to be guarding the two victims was arrested.
Laguna Trafficking Case Additional ICE searches revealed evidence of a large scale trafficking operation.
Laguna Trafficking Case Within the first few days of this investigation eight search warrants were served at location s where the victims claimed to have been held and forced into prostitution.
Hungarian Subjects Captured on Surveillance Subjects traveled with two European female strippers who had prior experience in the Mexican “Table Dance” environment
Subjects arrived in Monterrey, Mexico from Hungary Both Hungarian subjects had prior criminal histories and alleged ties to the Russian Mafia Subjects met with their Mexican contacts including a man named “Walter”
Mexican law enforcement conducted undercover meetings in Monterrey The target “Walter” agreed to provide U/C agents with a catalog containing pictures of minor females he could provide for prostitution
Additional U/C meeting was conducted U/C agents told Walter they were organizing a party for wealthy older American men Walter stated that he would organize the party at a location of his choosing and provide 20 underage girls for the party
During the take down operation 8 trafficking victims were rescued
Walter was arrested as he arrived at the party with 4 minor girls
NGOs provided victim assistance at the first secure location
The victims were transported to Mexico City and gave official declarations
RED INTERNACIONAL DE TRATA DE PERSONAS DETENIDO DETENIDO DETENIDO DETENIDO Líder Principal de la Organización Internacional de Trata de Personas Walter Alonso Garza (a) El Rojo Pedro Alonso Coronado, Líder de la organización (Padre de Walter). Ingrid Alonso Garza, Líder de la organización (Hermana de Walter). José Ángel Castro Rodríguez Operador CONTACTOS INTERNACIONALES VICTIMAS RESCATADAS
