The United States has taken action against a transnational criminal organization based in Mexico, accusing it of running a large-scale operation that smuggled migrants from multiple continents into the country.
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced the sanctions targeting the Bhardwaj Human Trafficking Organization and its alleged leader, Vikrant Bhardwaj, who holds dual citizenship in India and Mexico. Officials stated the group illegally transported thousands of people from Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Asia across the border.
Sixteen companies linked to the ring were also penalized for allegedly facilitating the illegal activities. Eight of those firms, owned or controlled by Bhardwaj, operate in Mexico, India, and the United Arab Emirates.
Investigators further accused the network of involvement in drug trafficking, bribery, and money laundering. The sanctions are designed to hinder the group’s ability to continue its smuggling operations, according to a senior Treasury official.
The scheme reportedly involved transporting migrants to Mexico by yacht, housing them in hotels and hostels in Cancún, and then moving them toward the U.S.-Mexico border. This effort was coordinated with the Hernández-Salas group, a previously sanctioned human smuggling network, and individuals tied to the Sinaloa cartel.
For each person smuggled, the ring allegedly profited thousands of dollars. The organization was described as highly sophisticated, using air and sea travel to move migrants from countries deemed national security risks.
Other individuals penalized include José Germán Valadez Flores, a Mexican businessman and former police officer accused of bribing local authorities to ease migrant entry. Bhardwaj’s wife, Indu Rani, also a dual citizen, was designated for her role in financing the network through shell companies used to transfer funds internationally.
The coordinated action highlights ongoing efforts to combat illicit migration networks operating across borders.