Treasury Sanctions Mexico-Based Human Smuggling Ring For Trafficking Migrants Into The U.S.

The Treasury Department has sanctioned members of a transcontinental smuggling ring on Thursday.

Concretely, the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) targeted the Bhardwaj Human Smuggling Organization, its ringleader and three accomplices, as well as 16 affiliated entities.

Officials detailed that the organization constructed a "sophisticated" smuggling pipeline by using yachts, marinas, hostels, hotels and other front operations. The operations took place in Mexico, India and the United Arab Emirates, officials added.

Thousands of migrants were taken to Mexico and then taken through the border into the U.S. with help from the Sinaloa Cartel. They paid thousands of dollars for the service.

"Today's action, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, disrupts this network's ability to smuggle dangerous illegal aliens into the United States," said Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley said in a statement sent to CBS News.