Illegal Immigrant Drug, Gun Smuggling and Document Fraud Ring Busted (Utah)

On February 4, 2011, police raided an ethnic market and took down a ring that was smuggling drugs, weapons, alcohol, cigarettes, and pirated movies and porn from Mexico. Along with the smuggling operation, it appears the ring also engaged in identity fraud (possibly identity theft).

The news report notes illegal immigrants were involved in the operation but is a bit vague as to who the illegal immigrants were (all or just two?). Clearly the owner's wife is but it is hard to tell if the owner and his accomplice are also in the country illegally.

After checking Salt Lake County Jail records, both Mr. Juarez and Romero-Barrales are listed as Mexican nationals but the booking record does not indicated if they were legally in the US or not.

Identity theft and document fraud (especially social security numbers) are often linked to illegal immigrants as they require the documents in order to get jobs. Often, these numbers belong to children.

Written report is available at: http://murray.fox13now.com/content/police-raid-market-yielding-drugs-guns-stolen-merchandise