Jalal Adeeb, Human Trafficking, New Mexico 2026

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A Syrian national, Jalal Makland Adeeb, 39, has been extradited to New Mexico to face federal human trafficking charges. The charges stem from a conspiracy to bring in illegal aliens for financial gain. Adeeb was taken into custody by federal authorities on March 1, 2026, in Costa Rica and made his initial appearance in New Mexico on March 6, 2026. If convicted, he faces a minimum of three years and up to 10 years in prison.

The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury on August 26, 2025, alleges that Adeeb was involved in a human trafficking scheme, although the specifics of the scheme have not been released. The case is being prosecuted by the Las Cruces Branch Office of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico, with support from the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security.

The investigation and charges are part of the Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), a partnership between the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security aimed at combating human smuggling and trafficking. The JTFA targets the leaders and organizers of cartels and transnational criminal organizations involved in human smuggling and trafficking throughout the Americas.

The extradition of Adeeb marks a significant step in the fight against human trafficking, a crime that affects thousands of people worldwide. The case highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating human trafficking and the commitment of law enforcement agencies to bringing perpetrators to justice.

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