The Washington Times
BUENOS AIRES — Human-trafficking networks are smuggling Chinese nationals into Latin America for eventual entry into the United States, say Argentine and Uruguayan authorities.
"In the past year, we have detained some 700 Chinese nationals in the northeastern part of the country, and we know that, for many, this is a bridge to the United States," said Cmdr. Jorge Tapia of the Argentine National Gendarmerie, the military force that guards Argentine border areas.
Cmdr. Tapia confirmed recent press reports that immigrants detained in northeastern Argentina are arriving via Chinese mafia organizations operating out of Fujian, an impoverished province in southeastern China.
"The organizations charge $8,000 for passage to Argentina and $20,000 to get to the United States," said Cmdr. Tapia from his office in Salta, near the porous, remote border with Bolivia. "We know these groups have operations in the United States."
Posted by Suzanne at January 24, 2005