Leader of Human Smuggling Operation, ‘Cobra,’ Receives Sentence in South Texas

The leader of a human smuggling operation known as Cobra, Saul Torres-Martinez, and five others have been sentenced to prison in South Texas, according to Homeland Security Investigations. Torres-Martinez, also known as “Cobra,” has been sentenced to nine years in prison. Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane found Torres-Martinez to be the leader of the smuggling operation, which has been linked to a death and sexual assault. The organization was responsible for moving over 100 migrants from the Mexican border to Houston from 2018 to 2019. Torres-Martinez, along with Ernesto Mata Pioquinto, Marcelino Navarro Sanchez, Luis Esteban Martinez, Robert Hernandez, and Noemi Silva, have all been sentenced to prison for their involvement in the smuggling network. HSI officials emphasize the dangers of human smuggling and urge the public to report any suspicious behavior.