A Bangladeshi national accused of leading an international human smuggling network that facilitated the illegal entry of Bangladeshi migrants into the United States has been extradited from Brazil and has made his first appearance before a federal court in Texas.
According to a press release issued by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Saifullah Al-Mamun, 39, was extradited to the United States on July 8 following a lengthy legal process in Brazil. He appeared before a federal court in Laredo, Texas, on Monday to face multiple human smuggling-related charges.
The DOJ alleges that Al-Mamun, together with his associates Mohammad Milon Hossain, 46, and Mokhtar Hossain, 38, operated an international human smuggling network that transported Bangladeshi nationals from Bangladesh to the United States through Brazil, South and Central America, and Mexico.
According to court documents, the organization first arranged for migrants to travel from Bangladesh to São Paulo, Brazil, where Al-Mamun coordinated their accommodation and onward travel.
After reaching Tapachula, Mexico, the migrants were allegedly received by Mohammad Milon Hossain, who arranged their accommodation and transportation to Monterrey. Once there, Mokhtar Hossain allegedly housed the migrants and instructed them on how to cross the Rio Grande River into the United States.
The Department of Justice said many Bangladeshi migrants were forced to risk their lives while crossing the Rio Grande as part of the smuggling route.
Al-Mamun was arrested in Brazil on October 31, 2019. Following several years of extradition proceedings, Brazilian authorities recently transferred him to U.S. custody.
Federal prosecutors have charged Al-Mamun with conspiracy to encourage and induce illegal immigration for financial gain and other human smuggling-related offenses.
If convicted of smuggling migrants for financial gain, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 15 years in federal prison. He also faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment if convicted of encouraging or inducing individuals to enter the United States illegally.
Meanwhile, co-defendants Mohammad Milon Hossain and Mokhtar Hossain have already pleaded guilty to their roles in the smuggling operation. A federal court sentenced each of them to 46 months in prison.
The U.S. Department of Justice said the case remains part of its ongoing efforts to dismantle transnational human smuggling organizations operating across the Americas.
