NEWS
White Light Operation
Working with Colombian authorities in an operation called White Light, the U.S. Embassy in Bogota has dismantled a Cali-based human smuggling and visa fraud ring. The operation took place on May 8, 2007, and is an excellent example of bilateral cooperation between the governments of the United States and Colombia.
Colombian authorities arrested 19 members of the human smuggling gang, of whom 12 are Cali-based doctors who colluded with the ring leader to smuggle small children and other people illegally out of Colombia. Those arrested face charges of human smuggling, conspiracy, and producing and selling false identity documents.
The U.S. Embassy first alerted Colombian authorities to the problem in late 2005 based on false identity information obtained during the U.S. visa application process of a Colombian child. Acting on the lead, the Colombian authorities opened a major investigation. Evidence revealed that the main suspect provided false documents and identities to visa applicants with the purpose of fraudulently obtaining passage to the United States. Ultimately, this investigation led to today’s arrests.
Operation White Light represents a cooperative effort between the Colombian Departamento Administrativo de Seguridad (DAS), the Colombian Fiscalia and the U.S. Embassy in Bogota.
The Embassy is committed to the policy of “secure borders, open doors,” by facilitating lawful travel to the United States by Colombian visitors while maintaining the integrity and security of our borders.
Bogotá D.C.
May, 8, 2007