EL PASO, Texas — A Mexican national accused of coordinating human smuggling operations across West Texas and New Mexico was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury in El Paso.

Manuel Alejandro Melendez-Cereceres, 40, also known as “Monstro,” faces three federal counts related to alleged smuggling activity. Prosecutors say Melendez-Cereceres acted as a facilitator by recruiting drivers and organizing vehicles to pick up individuals who had illegally crossed the border.

According to court records, he allegedly directed drivers to transport the migrants to residences, hotels, or rendezvous points for further transport by additional smugglers. The operations allegedly took place across the Western District of Texas and the District of New Mexico.

Melendez-Cereceres was arrested and appeared in court on June 20 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert F. Castaneda.

Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Border Patrol are handling the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kyle Myers and Mathew Engelbaum.

The indictment is part of Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice initiative focused on dismantling human smuggling networks and transnational criminal organizations.

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