The defendants used jet skis to transport migrants, often at night, to coastal areas such as Sunset Cliffs, Bird Rock in La Jolla and Imperial Beach, California, according to the Justice Department.

He added that the defendants were also responsible for transporting migrants within the United States, either driving themselves or coordinating with other drivers, including to Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, California, and Las Vegas.

The alleged traffickers charged between $7,000 and $16,000 for each migrant.

“Smugglers prefer jet skis because of their speed and ability to quickly approach the shore, allowing them to quickly disembark and evade authorities,” he explained.

The organization allegedly charged between $7,000 and $16,000 per person.

San Diego Border Patrol Chief Patricia McGurk-Daniel said the indictment “serves as a warning” to migrant smuggling organizations operating along the coastal border “that it’s only a matter of time before they get justice.”

Who is accused of smuggling migrants on jet skis?

The Justice Department said the defendants, Edgar Jimenez Macias, 33; Alex Ceja Guzman, 30, also known as Alejandro and Gordo; and Tobias Julian Burgara Gonzalez, 32, all of Tijuana, Baja California; and Junior Zavala Ramirez, 34, also known as JR, of Tecate, are in custody.