U.S. Targets Human Smuggling with New Rewards Program

Written by Kathrine Frich

Jun.12 - 2024 9:47 AM CET

Crime
Photo: Shutterstock
Photo: Shutterstock
The right information can land you up to $5 million.

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In coordination with the Department of Justice Anti-Smuggling Rewards (ASR) Initiative, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has approved three reward offers aimed at targeting key leaders of the Clan del Golfo (CDG), a major criminal organization involved in human smuggling in the Darién region between Colombia and Panama.

This action is part of the Department of State’s Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program (TOCRP).

Reward Details Announced

The rewards offered are significant and aim to disrupt the operations of the CDG:

  1. Up to $2 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of any key leader of the CDG involved in human smuggling in the Darién.

  2. Up to $1 million for information leading to the disruption of financial mechanisms that the CDG uses to finance, sustain, or support human smuggling operations in the Darién.

  3. Up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of any key leader of the CDG involved in human smuggling in the Darién, specifically for encouraging and inducing aliens to enter the United States resulting in death, violating Title 8, U.S. Code, sections 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv) and 1324(a)(1)(B)(iv).

Supporting Global Law Enforcement Efforts

These reward offers are designed to support law enforcement efforts in Colombia, Panama, and the United States. The goal is to disrupt the exploitive treatment of migrants from around the world who attempt to pass through the dangerous Darién region. Authorities hope that these financial incentives will encourage individuals to come forward with critical information that can lead to significant arrests and disruptions of CDG operations.

Tips can be submitted to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) by phone at (866) 347-2423 (toll-free) or online at www.ice.gov/tips.