Upon raiding a home in Fort Worth Wednesday night on suspicion of human trafficking, the FBI found and rescued 26 Honduran refugees from apparent human traffickers.
The FBI’s SWAT team arrested two suspects, identified as Carlos Plata Ibarra, 35, and Gonzalo Ramirez, 33.
“We can confirm we were onsite. However, no federal charges have been filed at this time,” FBI representative Katherine Chaumont told The Dallas Express.
The Fort Worth Police Department assisted in arresting the two suspects at the house in the 1800 block of Miller Avenue in Fort Worth.
“When I got the call at 1:45 a.m., my heart raced, and I went into action mode,” said Hilda Duarte, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) district director in Grand Prairie, in a provided statement.
“Our first task was to get them safely processed out of law enforcement custody and get them to housing where they could rest for a few hours,” explained Duarte. “Since then, we have worked to ensure they get medical help and essential basics and connect them to their family in the United States.”
Victims who spoke to local news outlet WFAA said they were smuggled in an 18-wheeler packed with people and brought to the house in Fort Worth.
“LULAC salutes the FBI agents involved in the raid,” said Domingo Garcia, LULAC national president. “LULAC will continue to work with them to stop human smugglers and traffickers.”
Because the 26 individuals were human trafficking victims, they will be allowed to stay in the United States and apply for asylum.
In late October, The Dallas Express spoke with Dallas Police Department Senior Corporal Brian Martinez about human trafficking taking place in Dallas.
He observed that the majority takes place off Harry Hines Boulevard and from Lombardy to Royal Lane in District 2, which is located in the district of December Crime Boss of the Month Jesse Moreno.
Kudos to the FBI for rescuing these people!!
They are probably here not as citizens.
Get a clue
THESE situations used to be unheard of. PREVENTION is key to most evils. SOME countries have people so poor, they sell their child or children so the family will be able to get food.
Slavery is against the Constition. Accept humans that are different because you are one. Get wisdom.
That was just a drop in the bucket. There are hundreds more out there.
HMM, I wonder what definition of human trafficking was used? Nothing said in the article regarding what the purpose was…..if it was unlawful entry into the USA only …And why hasn’t the FBI actually made arrests and charges? Are TX laws more stringent?
Where is the rest of this story?
I want to know what human trafficking was used when Abbott traffics them illegally to Washington in freezing temps. Left them in the streets! No jackets or food! That’s inhuman! And illlegal!!!Smh.
Do you get it?? They are not supposed to be here… they are illegal… maybe they should have thought about coats and no food… they are illegal therefore Governor Abbott, Texas, you, me owe them nothing. Let’s take care of our USA homelessness. Would you expect Mexico to feed and cloth you if you went there without a passport and were told don’t come???
They’re human but let me guess, you’re a Christian, right?
I was going to give clothes away to a friend to give to anyone who is in need of clothes.
Is there a place where I can take the clothes for the immigrants?