Prolific Human Smuggler Extradited from Brazil Pleads Guilty to Smuggling Aliens into the United States

Saiful Islam, 39, a Bangladeshi national, pleaded guilty today to charges related to his role in a conspiracy that smuggled numerous aliens through South America, Central America, and Mexico to the United States.

According to court documents, Islam participated in a wide-ranging alien smuggling organization and assisted other smugglers by facilitating the travel of aliens from and through Brazil, South America, Central America, and Mexico so that the aliens could illegally enter the United States. Some aliens were transported along the Colombian coast in dangerous boats by intoxicated pilots. Some aliens trekked through the Darien Gap. And some aliens were given other individuals' documentation to conceal their identities. The aliens were brought to the Southern border and were instructed to cross into the United States by wading across the Rio Grande River or by jumping a border fence. Some aliens paid Islam thousands of dollars to be smuggled into the United States. Islam was extradited from Brazil to the United States in April 2026.

Islam pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to bring an alien to the United States and two counts of bringing an alien to the United States, all for the purpose of commercial advantage and private financial gain. Islam agreed to forfeit money he collected from smuggled aliens. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 17, 2027, and faces a mandatory minimum of three years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department's Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz for the Southern District of Texas made the announcement.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Phoenix investigated this case with assistance from HSI Laredo, HSI Brasilia, HSI Bogota, the HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C., U.S. Customs and Border and Protection's Counter Network Division, Brazil Department of Federal Police, Colombia National Police, the U.S. Marshals Service, and INTERPOL.

Trial Attorney Spencer M. Perry of the Criminal Division's Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Leslie Cortez for the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department's Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing Islam's arrest and extradition from Brazil. The Justice Department thanks its Brazilian law enforcement counterparts for making the extradition possible.

This case was supported and prosecuted by JTFA, the U.S. Department of Justice's lead effort in combating human smuggling and trafficking committed by cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations throughout the Americas. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), JTFA investigates and prosecutes the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking networks that impact public safety and border security. Led by HRSP and supported by other Criminal Division components, JTFA has dedicated prosecutors from U.S. Attorneys' Offices along the Southwest border, Southern Florida, Northern New York, and Vermont. JTFA partners with U.S. Attorneys' Offices throughout the country and supports high-priority cases in any district. All JTFA cases rely on substantial law enforcement resources from DHS components, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, HSI, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, and the Office of Field Operations. JTFA also partners with FBI and other law enforcement agencies. To date, JTFA's work has resulted in more than 486 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling and trafficking; more than 447 U.S. convictions; and more than 374 significant jail sentences imposed and forfeitures of substantial assets.