San Ysidro

The U.S. Border Patrol said Monday that it had broken up a “major” smuggling ring that allegedly used Anglo drivers to transport thousands of illegal aliens from the border to points throughout California.

The smugglers allegedly provided guides and transportation from Tijuana for aliens whose countries of origin included Mexico, El Salvador, India and Yugoslavia, said Ed Pyeatt, a spokesman for the Border Patrol.

In recent years, officials say, illegal aliens from dozens of nations have been apprehended attempting to enter the United States illegally via the Mexican border.

Since Thursday, Pyeatt said, officials have raided three locations in Escondido and arrested 32 members of the alleged ring, including two accused drivers from Central California. The suspects were to be arraigned this week on smuggling charges in U.S. District Court here, Pyeatt said.

He described the group as one of the largest alleged smuggling operations uncovered here in recent years. Since February, Pyeatt said, the ring was believed to have moved 600 to 1,000 aliens every week. The aliens paid $300 to $400 each for transportation from Tijuana to various locations in California, Pyeatt said.

The ring allegedly recruited Anglo drivers, usually between 18 and 25 years of age, in an effort to fool officers posted at various federal checkpoints leading from the border area. The smugglers apparently believed that Border Patrol officers would be less suspicious of vehicles with Anglo drivers, Pyeatt said.