Marines charged with helping smuggle undocumented immigrants for cash

Two Marines were arrested after authorities said they helped smuggle undocumented immigrants in exchange for cash, NBC News reported Tuesday.

Marine Lance Cpls. Byron Law II and David Salazar-Quintero, both based in California, were reportedly arrested on July 3.

{mosads}They were charged with transportation of certain aliens for financial gain, per NBC.

According to a federal complaint obtained by the outlet, both Marines said the other was responsible for getting them into the business.

After a Border Patrol agent spotted a car appearing to pick up undocumented immigrants, another agent pulled over the vehicle, carrying Law, Salazar-Quintero and three others who “stated they are citizens of Mexico without any immigration documents that would allow them to enter or remain in the United States legally.”

Two passengers “stated they were going to pay $8,000 to be smuggled into the United States” with “destinations to New Jersey and Los Angeles,” per the court document.

Both Marines waived their Miranda rights and told investigators they had done similar work before. 

A representative from Camp Pendleton, where both were stationed, told NBC’s San Diego affiliate that its command is “aware of the charges facing Lance Cpl. Law and Lance Cpl. Salazar-Quintero,” and will “continue to cooperate fully with the investigative efforts into this matter.”