LOS ANGELES – (INT) - An illegal immigrant from Guatemala has been arrested on an indictment alleging he led one of the largest human smuggling organizations in the United States.

Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles said Monday (March 3rd) that Eduardo Renoj-Matul, 51, a.k.a. “Turko” and his alleged right-hand man, Cristobal Mejia-Chaj, are held without bond awaiting trial.

Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles said Monday (March 3rd) that the pair’s organization smuggled approximately 20-thousand illegal immigrants from Guatemala to destinations nationwide over a five-year span, holding some of them hostage in stash houses. Seven died– including a 4-year-old child.

Story Date: March 22, 2025