MONROE COUNTY, Fla. – Oscar Alfredo Bustamante-Semeren (29) and Alejandro Gauche-Valdez (35), both from Miami, are facing human trafficking charges in Monroe County, Florida.
This follows an incident on July 15, 2024, where the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted their boat near Islamorada. The boat was found to have numerous safety violations, and its GPS track indicated it was heading towards Cuba.
Bustamante-Semeren admitted they were traveling to Cuba to pick up Cuban nationals.
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The U.S. Attorney’s Office subsequently declined to prosecute the suspects. Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Joel Slough continued to investigate the case as per state charges alongside the Office of the State Attorney.
Examination of the GPS and other evidence supported Bustamante-Semeren’s admission. Warrants (each with a $60,000 bond) were obtained Monday by the Sheriff’s Office as a result of the investigation.
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“Another great job by Sgt. Joel Slough, the Monroe County State Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners to arrest these two criminals,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay. “We will continue to take a hard stance on crime even when the U.S. Attorney’s Office fails to do its job. The U.S. Attorney’s Office unwillingness to pursue criminal offenders who traffic humans is sad. These offenders continue to wreak havoc in our community and other communities.”
The investigation revealed that Bustamante-Semeren has links to the violent Venezuelan gang “Tren De Aragua.” The U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations assisted in the case.
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