Alleged migrant smugglers arrested

By Louie Gilot / El Paso Times

Article Launched: 06/20/2007 12:00:00 AM MDT

The alleged mastermind of an El Paso migrant smuggling ring, his son and an alleged associate were arrested Monday after a two-year investigation, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said.

Ramon Felix, 46, also known as "Gerber," is suspected of being the head of the Ramon Felix criminal organization.

He and his 24-year-old son, Pablo Felix, were arrested at their East El Paso home in the 1200 block of Roswell Road.

The elder Felix allegedly hired commercial truck drivers to transport undocumented immigrants -- men, women and children -- in their sleeper cabs to U.S. cities such as Albuquerque and Dallas.

ICE officials said the ring smuggled hundreds of migrants through El Paso in the past three years.

Each migrant was charged $2,500 each, $600 of which went to the truck driver.

The smugglers housed the migrants in drop houses or hotels in the El Paso area until they were able to arrange truck transportation.