COURT SENDS PASSPORT CHIEF TO PRISON IN GUATEMALA

 

 

 

 

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PRESS RELEASE 047
 

FORMER MIGRATION OFFICIAL IMPRISONED FOR FORGING PASSPORTS

 

Guatemala, August 23, 2013. The Rota Court of the First Criminal Instance ruled to prosecute and remand in custody former official of the Passport Issuing Authorities of the General Directorate of Migration, Mirna María de Los Ángeles Rivas Gramajo. Rivas Gramajo is charged with allegedly having ties to an organization that forges passports and illegally transports persons.

At the initial appearance, the Court ruled to prosecute the accused on charges of criminal association, illegal transit of persons and falsification of facts. The investigations of the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP) and CICIG established that Rivas Gramajo authorized the issuance of Guatemalan passports to foreigners using fake documentation.

Rivas Gramajo was arrested by authorities on Friday, August 16, with the support of CICIG, at 11 Calle and 12 Avenida, Zone 1 (Guatemala City). The accused had worked as an assistant prosecutor at the Economic Crimes Unit as well as at the Unit of Women and Child Victims and the Anti-Drug Trafficking Unit of the Public Prosecutor's Office (MP). She currently was working as a legal advisor at the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman.

 

CICIG acts as a complementary prosecutor in these criminal proceedings.

Background

In this case, on August 14, the Third Court of the First Criminal Instance ruled to prosecute José Alberto de León Gramajo, Head of the passport delegation of the Passport Issuing Authorities of the General Directorate of Migration (DGM), and José Antonio Samayoa Cano, former representative of the Corporación Inmobiliaria La Luz, S.A (a company that was previously responsible for authorizing the manufacturing of passports). The Court also ordered that the pair be remanded in custody.

The investigation to dismantle the structure got underway with the arrest of two Colombian citizens, Jhon Alexander Cardona Salinas and Luis Alberto Valencia Duque, at the La Aurora International Airport on October 10, 2011. The pair were arrested after presenting false passports issued by the migration authorities.

 

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PRESS RELEASE 001

ALLEGED NETWORK OF PASSPORT FORGERS ARRESTED

 Guatemala, January 17, 2014. The National Civil Police (PNC), with the support of the Public Prosecutor's Office (MP) and CICIG, arrested 21 individuals—including officials of the General Directorate of Migration (DGM), employees of the National Registry of Persons (RENAP) and intermediary agents—for their alleged ties to a criminal organization that illegally facilitated the temporary residence and the entry into and departure from Guatemala of citizens of diverse nationalities, who used Guatemalan passports that had been issued illegally.

These arrests were the outcome of 28 different searches of premises in Guatemala City and other municipalities.

The arrested individuals are charged with falsification of facts, falsification of documents, abuse of authority, criminal association and illegal transportation of persons.

 

Arrested:

1.     Arnoldo de Jesús Miranda Fuentes, Secretary General of the DGM Workers' Union (alleged ringleader of the criminal structure).

2.     Carlos Ovidio Blanco Guzmán, DGM official at La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City).

3.     José Alberto Caniz Valenzuela, DGM official at La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City).

4.     Omar Osberto Cifuentes Lazo, DGM official at La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City).

5.     Verónica Ixmucané Bonilla Marroquín, DGM official at La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City).

6.     Santos Bocanegra Morales, DGM official at La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City).

7.     Iris Vanessa Marín Sierra, DGM official at La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City).

8.     Gloria Estela Alvizures Palencia, DGM official at La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City).

9.     Celeste Suseth Aquino Mejía, DGM official at La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City).

10.  Mario Roberto García Portillo, DGM official at La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City).

11.  Roberto Eduardo Cozano Celis, DGM official at La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City).

12.  Sanddy Aracely Palma Osorio, DGM official at La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City).

13.  Rosa María Yala Golón (intermediary agent).

14.  Rafael Rivas Olmina, official of the DGM Passport Issuing Authorities.

15.  Veer Singh (intermediary agent)

16.  Julio Wilfredo Lux Ayala (intermediary agent) .

17.  Wendy Janneth Botello Díaz, civil registrar of RENAP.

18.  Fabio Alexis Arévalo, assistant at the RENAP registry.

19.  Sara Luz Borja Vásquez, assistant at the RENAP registry.

20.  Linda Celeste Galindo del Cid, assistant at the RENAP registry.

21.  Francisco García Meléndez, official of the Quetzaltenango Passport Issuing Authorities.

 

Background

 

The Public Prosecutor's Office (MP), via the Special Anti Impunity Prosecutor's Bureau (FECI) and with CICIG support, initiated an investigation to define, dismantle and prosecute a criminal structure comprised of officials of the General Directorate of Migration (DGM), the National Registry of Persons (RENAP), the Corporación Inmobiliaria La Luz S.A., as well as lawyers and intermediary agents.

This network helped citizens of different nationalities by issuing them forged passports so as to facilitate their entry into and departure from Guatemala.

In this case, José Alberto de León Gramajo (head of the passport delegation of the DGM Passport Issuing Authorities), and José Antonio Samayoa Cano (former representative of the Corporación Inmobiliaria La Luz S.A.), and Mirna María de Los Ángeles Rivas Gramajo (former DGM official) are already being prosecuted.

They were all arrested in August 2013.

 

 

 

 

 

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PRESS RELEASE 003

ARRESTS FOR PASSPORT FORGERIES RISES TO 23

 

Guatemala, January 23, 2014. The National Civil Police (PNC), with the support of the Public Prosecutor's Office (MP) and CICIG, arrested Henry Zepeda Álvarez (former employee of the National Registry of Persons [RENAP]) in Zone 4 of Mixco on suspicion of involvement in an organization that forged passports. This organization was allegedly led by Arnoldo de Jesús Miranda Fuentes, Secretary General of the General Directorate of Migration Workers' Union.

The criminal organization illegally facilitated temporary residence for citizens of diverse nationalities, as well as enabling them to enter and depart Guatemala with illegally-issued Guatemalan passports.

Zepeda Álvarez is charged with abuse of authority, falsification of documents, falsification of facts and criminal association. With this latest operation, the total number of arrested members of this criminal network rises to 23.

Since January 17, the authorities have arrested 23 individuals—including officials of the General Directorate of Migration (DGM) and the National Registry of Persons (RENAP) and intermediary agents. The initial appearance of the arrested individuals is set to be held today before High-Risk Trial Court B.

In this case, José Alberto de León Gramajo (Head of the passport delegation of the DGM Passport Issuing Authorities), and José Antonio Samayoa Cano (former representative of the Corporación Inmobiliaria La Luz S.A.), and Mirna María de Los Ángeles Rivas Gramajo (former DGM delegate) are already being prosecuted. They were all arrested in August 2013.

 

 

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PRESS RELEASE 002
 

ARREST OF ANOTHER MEMBER OF NETWORK OF PASSPORT FORGERS

 

Guatemala, January 22, 2014. The National Civil Police (PNC), with the support of the Public Prosecutor's Office (MP) and CICIG, arrested Julio César de Paz Machuca (former employee of the National Registry of Persons [RENAP]) in Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa, Escuintla, for his alleged participation in a criminal organization that illegally facilitated temporary residence for citizens of diverse nationalities as well as enabling them to enter and depart Guatemala with illegally‑issued Guatemalan passports.

Paz Machuca is charged with abuse of authority, falsification of documents, falsification of facts and criminal association. With this latest operation, the total number of arrested members of this criminal network rises to 22.

On January 17, the authorities arrested 21 individuals—including officials of the General Directorate of Migration (DGM) and the National Registry of Persons (RENAP) and intermediary agents—who are currently awaiting their initial appearance before High-Risk Trial Court B.

In this case, José Alberto de León Gramajo (Head of the passport delegation of the DGM Passport Issuing Authorities), and José Antonio Samayoa Cano (former representative of the Corporación Inmobiliaria La Luz S.A.), and Mirna María de Los Ángeles Rivas Gramajo (former DGM delegate) are already being prosecuted. They were all arrested in August 2013.

 

 

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PASSPORT FORGERS SENT TO PRISON

27 arrests in total

Guatemala, February 4, 2014. High-Risk Court B ruled to prosecute and remand in custody 12 of the 25 individuals alleged to form part of a criminal structure involved in helping citizens of diverse nationalities obtain forged Guatemalan passports in order to enter, depart and move within Guatemala.

After analysing the evidence, Judge Miguel Ángel Gálvez ruled to prosecute and remand in custody 12 of the arrested individuals. The others were granted alternative measures such as ne exeat orders, house arrest or the obligation to sign an attendance book.

 

The imprisoned individuals are:

• Arnoldo de Jesús Miranda Fuentes, Secretary General of the Workers' Union of the General Directorate of Migration (DGM). Miranda Fuentes is the alleged ringleader of the criminal structure and he was remanded on charges of criminal association and illegal transportation of persons.

• Carlos Ovidio Blanco Guzmán, DGM official at La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City). Blanco Guzmán is charged with criminal association, illegal transportation of persons, falsification of documents and falsification of facts.

• José Alberto Caniz Valenzuela, DGM official at La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City). Caniz Valenzuela is charged with criminal association and illegal transportation of persons.

• Omar Osberto Cifuentes Lazo, DGM official at La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City). Cifuentes Lazo is charged with criminal association, illegal entry of persons and illegal transport of individuals.

• Celeste Suseth Aquino Mejía, DGM official at La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City). Aquino Mejía is charged with criminal association and illegal entry of persons.

• Mario Roberto García Portillo, DGM official at La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City). García Portillo is charged with criminal association and illegal entry of persons.

• Edgar Francisco García Meléndez is charged with criminal association, falsification of documents and falsification of facts.

• Roberto Eduardo Cozano Celis, DGM official at La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City). Cozano Celis is charged with criminal association, falsification of documents and falsification of facts.

• Sanddy Aracely Palma Osorio, DGM official at La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City). Palma Osorio is charged with criminal association, falsification of documents and falsification of facts.

• Rosa María Yala Golón (intermediary agent).

• Veer Singh (intermediary agent).

• Julio Wilfredo Lux Ayala (intermediary agent).

These individuals (9 to 12) were charged with criminal association and illegal transportation of persons.

Alternative measures:

• Rafael Rivas Olmin, official of the DGM Passport Issuing Authorities, is charged with criminal association and illegal transportation of persons.

• Verónica Ixmucané Bonilla Marroquín, DGM delegate at La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City).

• Santos Bocanegra Morales, DGM delegate at La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City).

• Iris Vanessa Marín Sierra, DGM delegate at La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City).

• Gloria Estela Alvizures Palencia, DGM delegate at La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City).

These individuals (14 to 17) were charged with illegal entry of persons.

The following individuals (18 to 25), who also received alternative measures, were charged with falsification of documents and falsification of facts.

• Wendy Janneth Botello Díaz, Civil Registrar of the National Registry of Persons (RENAP).

• Fabio Alexis Arévalo, assistant of the RENAP registry.

• Sara Luz Borja Vásquez, assistant of the RENAP registry.

• Linda Celeste Galindo del Cid, assistant of the RENAP registry.

• Julio César de Paz Machuca, former RENAP employee.

• Henry Zepeda Álvarez, former RENAP employee.

• Boris Asmavet Cabrera de Matta, former RENAP employee

• Milton Danilo Mendizábal Ardón, former RENAP employee.

•  

Awaiting initial appearance

 

• Pablo Alfonso Ralón Molina (a former RENAP employee) was arrested on February 3, 2014 at Kilometer 21 of the highway Ruta al Atlántico. Ralón Molina is charged with abuse of authority, falsification of documents, falsification of facts and criminal association.

• Carlos Dagoberto González Escobar (a former RENAP employee) was arrested in Puerto Barrios, Izabal on January 28, 2014. González Escobar is charged with abuse of authority, falsification of documents and criminal association.

•  

Background
The Special Anti-Impunity Prosecutor's Bureau (FECI) of the Public Prosecutor's Office (MP), with CICIG support, initiated an investigation to define, dismantle and prosecute a criminal structure comprised of officials of the General Directorate of Migration (DGM), the National Registry of Persons (RENAP), and the Corporación Inmobiliaria La Luz S.A. as well as lawyers and intermediary agents.

In this case, José Alberto de León Gramajo (Head of the passport delegation of the DGM Passport Issuing Authorities), and José Antonio Samayoa Cano (former representative of the Corporación Inmobiliaria La Luz S.A.), and Mirna María de Los Ángeles Rivas Gramajo (former DGM delegate) are already being prosecuted. They were all arrested in August 2013.

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PRESS RELEASE 008

THIRTY-FOUR PEOPLE BEING PROSECUTED FOR PASSPORT FORGERY
Sixteen remanded in custody

 

Guatemala, February 10, 2014. High-Risk Court B has ordered the prosecution of thirty-four individuals in the passport forgery case involving employees of the General Directorate of Migration (DGM), the National Registry of Persons (RENAP) and intermediary agents.

Judge Miguel Ángel Gálvez ordered the prosecution of six individuals accused of forming part of a criminal structure involved in helping citizens of diverse nationalities obtain forged Guatemalan passports in order to enter, depart and move within Guatemala.  With this latest decision, the number of people being prosecuted rises to 34.

At the initial appearance held today, Judge Gálvez ordered that Brenda Cotto Ramos, a DGM official at the La Aurora International Airport, be remanded in custody on charges of illegal entry of persons and criminal association.

The individuals named below were charged with falsification of documents and falsification of facts as well as being granted the alternative measures of a ne exeat order, house arrest and ordered to sign an attendance record every fifteen days.

• Carlos Dagoberto González, former employee of National Registry of Persons (RENAP).

• Pablo Alfonso Ralón Molina, former employee of RENAP.

• Daniela Santana Díaz, former employee of RENAP.

• Albacé Velásquez Díaz, former employee of RENAP.

• Julio Alberto Donis, former employee of RENAP.

Background
On February 4, High-Risk Court B ordered the prosecution of 25 individuals alleged to form part of a criminal structure, and ordered that 12 of them be remanded in custody. In this same case, José Alberto de León Gramajo (Head of the passport delegation of the DGM Passport Issuing Authorities) and José Antonio Samayoa Cano (former representative of the Corporación Inmobiliaria La Luz S.A.), and Mirna María de Los Ángeles Rivas Gramajo (former DGM delegate) are already being prosecuted and are currently remanded in custody—they were arrested in August 2013.

 

Read related news

VIDEO NEWS REGARDING THE FAKE PASSPORT CASE

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf1nhupFj5U&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=CICIGgt

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FH1PnkHxLM&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=CICIGgt

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdQBHHcie3Y&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=CICIGgt

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiPyAcZTzNo&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=CICIGgt

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NevGL0N7CYQ&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=CICIGgt

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyARt6lur_M&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=CICIGgt