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Authorities Searching for Migrant Trafficking Suspect

Federal authorities are searching for a man who allegedly held undocumented immigrants against their will in San Diego. The man has allegedly run a migrant trafficking ring for the last six years and

Authorities Searching for Migrant Trafficking Suspect

Federal authorities are searching for a man who allegedly held undocumented immigrants against their will in San Diego. The man has allegedly run a migrant trafficking ring for the last six years and is now believed to be hiding in Tijuana or Acapulco. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

Mario Antunez Sotelo supposedly recruited migrants in Mexico. Two guides would bring then smuggle them across the border in eastern San Diego County to two drop houses in Logan Heights.

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Atunez and his wife are accused of holding at least ten migrants in squalid conditions at the homes. The couple is also charged with forcing the migrants to work domestic and construction jobs for Atunez and his wife's own financial gain.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Lauren Mack says Atunez and the three others were arrested in December. But Atunez was released.

The charges at that time were not strong enough to keep him. However once the agents unraveled the operation and the witnesses came forward, they did seek a superseding indictment and with that came an arrest warrant.

Mack says some of the victims where held up to eight months.

Amy Isackson, KPBS News.