Woman Charged in Colombian Smuggling Operation into U.S. Through T-O Nation

A Colombian woman, Janine Torres-Centeno, has been indicted on federal charges related to human smuggling, following an investigation that began last year. The indictment, confirmed on November 6, includes four counts of engaging in a conspiracy to encourage and profit from unlawful entry into the United States.

Torres-Centeno is scheduled for arraignment in federal court on December 2, with a trial expected early next year. The investigation into her activities was prompted by the apprehension of several Colombian nationals at the San Miguel Gate on the Tohono O’odham Nation, a site recognized as an unofficial crossing point for members of the local tribe.

According to court documents, numerous migrants began crossing at the remote San Miguel site in 2022 and into 2023. On November 18 alone, 227 individuals entered Arizona via this route before being detained by Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents. These individuals reportedly reached out to Torres-Centeno after learning of her success in previous crossings.

To facilitate their journey, Torres-Centeno instructed her clients to travel to Sonoyta, Sonora, charging fees between $1,200 and $2,000 per person for the crossing. Upon their arrival in Sonoyta, she arranged for their transportation to stash houses, providing further coordination for individuals attempting to cross the Arizona-Mexico border.

If convicted, Torres-Centeno could face up to 10 years in prison along with fines reaching $250,000, according to a spokesperson from the Justice Department.

The investigation was conducted by the Tucson Sector Border Patrol’s Alien Smuggling Unit and special agents from the Homeland Security Investigations’ Casa Grande office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stuart Zander and Matthew Doyle from the District of Arizona in Phoenix.