A Mexican railroad employee is now behind bars in Texas, facing charges for allegedly smuggling migrants into the U.S.
Authorities arrested Cesar Alexis Ayala Zapata on Saturday when he attempted to enter the U.S. at the Eagle Pass port of entry.
According to court documents, Ayala’s name and phone number appeared in five separate smuggling cases between April 13 and May 5. Each incident involved migrants found inside Ferromex cargo trains crossing from Mexico into South Texas. Several of the migrants told investigators that Ayala instructed them on how to hide inside railcars to avoid detection, including by X-ray scanners.
After his arrest, U.S. Customs and Border Protection handed Ayala over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Ayala reportedly waived his right to legal counsel and admitted he worked for Ferromex, a major Mexican railroad company. He confessed to using his job to help move migrants into the U.S.
“His role,” according to court records, was to collect smuggling fee down payments and stay in cellphone contact with the migrants during their journey from Piedras Negras to Eagle Pass.
Investigators say they have wire transfer records dating back to January, showing Ayala received payments totaling $11,464, which he allegedly said was his cut from the smuggling operation.
Ayala appeared in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas on May 20. Magistrate Judge Matthew H. Watters in Del Rio ordered him held without bond.
CBP officials routinely inspect cargo trains at the border using visual checks, X-rays, canine units, and physical searches to catch smugglers and detect contraband or hidden migrants.
Ferromex, owned by Grupo Mexico Transportes and partially by Union Pacific Corp., has a detailed anti-corruption policy that bans bribery, theft, fuel fraud, and human trafficking. The company encourages whistleblowers to report suspicious activity via a toll-free number in Mexico (800-1088-869) or email ([email protected]).
