A man who coordinated a deadly smuggling of illegal immigrants near Calexico, California, was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.

José Cruz Noguez said on March 2, 2021, the conspirators would “cut the border fence and remove blocks large enough for vehicles to pass through” and oversee the smuggling of at least 43 migrants. A news paper reported that press release From the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.

At least 19 migrants were reportedly crammed into the GMC Yukon and 24 were crammed into the Ford Expedition to enter the United States. A fire broke out from the GMC Yukon and the driver abandoned the vehicle and migrants, 19 of whom were later found, the release said. The Ford expedition and its 24-man crew continued eastward to Holtville until they “collided with a trailer in a tragic accident” at an intersection, “13 illegal immigrants were killed and many of the survivors severely injured.” I lost.” (Related article: Man pleads guilty to death of 39 immigrants)

José Cruz Noguez was sentenced to 15 years in prison for coordinating a smuggling trip in which 25 migrants were loaded onto the Ford Expedition and crashed into a tractor trailer, killing 13. https://t.co/0zVHD4eEFd

— FOX 11 Los Angeles (@FOXLA) July 14, 2023

Cruz Noguez was “trying to collect money from smuggled aliens who survived the incident and were not apprehended by law enforcement,” the statement said.

“People who engage in human trafficking of this nature are monstrous and brutal … These people were treated like human baggage … What traffickers can get by putting as many people in vehicles as possible To maximize profits … crammed into two cars without any worries … “for their health and safety,” said U.S. District Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo, who handed down the sentence. . She also hopes the ruling will send “a message to the trafficking community that there are serious consequences for this type of egregious act,” she said in her statement.

U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman said the Cruz Noges smuggling attempt was “one of the most ruthless and inhuman smuggling attempts” known in the Southern District of California, adding that the victims were “like sardines in a can.” They were stuffed into vehicles and piled on top of each other,” he added. There are no seats or any safety restraints. “I would also like to thank the prosecution team and investigative agencies for their excellent work on this case,” he said.