Border Patrol: Smuggling Leader Arrested

Border Patrol agents near San Diego have arrested a man suspected of leading a notorious international human smuggling group.

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol announced Thursday the arrest of Victor Aguirre-Saenz. Officials say he is the leader of the El Migue organization, which uses aggressive and violent smuggling tactics.

Border Patrol says the group deliberately rams agency vehicles and assaults agents with rocks so illegal immigrants can sneak across the U.S.-Mexico border.

On Dec. 5, Border Patrol agents searched two homes they believed were linked to the group. They arrested five high-ranking members of the group and 11 immigrants who had been smuggled across the border illegally.

Officials say Aguirre is in federal custody awaiting criminal charges for re-entering the country as a previously deported immigrant.