Federal authorities arrested 11 women and men Thursday on suspicion of running a sophisticated human-smuggling operation that funneled hundreds of people from Ukraine into the United States and forced some into prostitution.
For at least the past two years, men, women and children were recruited in the capital city of Kiev, provided with valid Mexican visas and flown to Mexico, where they were transported to a villa just south of Tijuana, authorities said.
From there, "the merchandise"--as one alleged ringleader described the immigrants--was guided across the United States border by foot, car, train or boat and taken by members of the organization to Los Angeles, according to a 110-page affidavit filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.
Some immigrants paid as much as $7,000 to get to Los Angeles, and paid even more to travel to other cities, including New York, Detroit and Cleveland.
Many were young women who came with the understanding that they would become models, escorts or even prostitutes.
Authorities said that once in Los Angeles, some women were forced to work as prostitutes for six months or more to pay off their travel fees and living expenses. Often, women were sold to pimps and madams, according to the affidavit, filed by FBI Special Agent Raymond M. Pitesky.
Other immigrants came to the United States to escape harsh living conditions in Ukraine, a former Soviet republic now suffering from political turmoil and economic hardship.
"They're really struggling over there, and they just want to come here for the good life in the United States," Patrick A. Patterson, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI's Los Angeles field office, said at a news conference to announce the arrests.
"Unfortunately," Patterson added, "they're victimized by these unscrupulous people who take advantage of them."
Assistant U.S. Atty. Dan Saunders estimated the number of paying customers at 300 to 2,000 in recent years.
The 11 suspects under arrest were charged with conspiracy to smuggle, transport and harbor illegal immigrants. The law calls for sentences of up to three years in prison per smuggled immigrant, authorities said. Three other alleged members of the group were being sought late Thursday.
Among those arrested were a man and woman believed to be the leaders of the organization, who oversaw dozens of lower-level conspirators in Ukraine, Mexico and the United States.
