Syrian National Extradited for Human Smuggling Investigation

ICE News Releases

Filed March 6th, 2026

Detected March 7th, 2026

Summary

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso announced the extradition of a Syrian national, Jalal Maklad Adeeb, to the U.S. to face charges related to a human smuggling operation. Adeeb is accused of leading an international network that smuggled hundreds of individuals into the U.S. for financial gain, collecting approximately $800,000 in fees.

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What changed

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso has announced the extradition of Syrian national Jalal Maklad Adeeb to the United States on March 4, 2026. Adeeb is wanted for conspiracy to smuggle illegal aliens for financial gain, bringing aliens into the U.S. for financial gain, and aiding and abetting. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in New Mexico on August 18, 2025. HSI El Paso, as part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), investigated Adeeb for approximately 18 months, identifying him as the leader of an international criminal network responsible for smuggling hundreds of individuals, primarily from Arabic-speaking countries, into the U.S. through El Paso, charging approximately $4,500 per person and collecting over $800,000 in smuggling fees.

This extradition signifies a successful inter-agency and international effort involving HSI, U.S. Border Patrol, HSI Panama, U.S. Marshals Service, and Joint Task Force Alpha. Adeeb has been booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and is awaiting trial. The case highlights the ongoing efforts to dismantle transnational criminal organizations involved in human smuggling and trafficking, emphasizing national security threats and border security imperatives. Regulated entities involved in international travel or immigration services should be aware of the stringent enforcement actions being taken against such criminal networks.

What to do next

Review internal controls for potential vulnerabilities related to human smuggling or trafficking.
Stay informed on evolving enforcement priorities and international cooperation in combating transnational criminal organizations.

Penalties

Charged with conspiracy to bring in illegal aliens for financial gain, bringing aliens to the United States for financial gain, and aiding and abetting.

Source document (simplified)

March 6, 2026 El Paso, TX, United States Human Smuggling/Trafficking

Syrian national extradited to the US as part of HSI El Paso human smuggling investigation

EL PASO, Texas – A Syrian national wanted in the United States for conspiracy to smuggle special interest illegal aliens into the country, was extradited March 4 to El Paso.

For the past year and a half, Homeland Security Investigations El Paso investigated the case as part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) with assistance from the U.S. Border Patrol in coordination with HSI Panama and U.S. Marshals Service.

Jalal Maklad Adeeb, is charged with conspiracy to bring in illegal aliens for financial gain, bringing aliens to the United States for financial gain, and aiding and abetting. On Aug. 18, 2025, a federal grand jury in the District of New Mexico indicted Maklad.

“Adeeb Maklad Adeeb was the leader of an international criminal network responsible for smuggling hundreds of illegal aliens into the United States through El Paso, Texas from predominantly Arabic speaking countries,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI El Paso, Taekuk Cho. “He was deemed a national security threat, and his extradition to the United States to face justice reflects the coordinated efforts of HSI alongside our federal and international partners.” Cho went on to add that, “securing our borders and ensuring that we uphold national security by identifying, disrupting, and dismantling transnational criminal organizations is fundamental to Homeland Security Investigations and the HSTF.”

On March 1, HSI special agents and U.S. Marshals traveled to San Jose, Costa Rica, where Maklad had been detained. Federal agents took custody of him and facilitated his extradition to El Paso from Costa Rica.

According to the investigation, based out of Mexico City, Maklad smuggled hundreds of illegal aliens of Arab origin into the United States, charging them about $4,500 for safe passage from South America to the United States through Mexico, collecting upwards of $800,000 in smuggling fees.

Maklad was booked into the into the Dona Ana County Detention Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and is awaiting trial.

The investigation and charges are supported and prosecuted by Joint Task Force Alpha, a highly successful partnership between the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. JTFA investigates and prosecutes human smuggling and trafficking and related immigration crimes that impact public safety and border security.

Updated:

03/06/2026