[ Local | National ]
[ Local | National ]
By Newsradio 88 Staff
Twenty people have been indicted for their alleged involvement in a New York slavery ring of deaf Mexicans.
The 11-count indictment charges the alleged captors forced 60 illegal aliens to sell trinkets on New York City streets and subways for little or no pay after luring them to this country with promises of a job and a better life.
Police also arrested two alleged ringleaders in Mexico, where they are awaiting extradition.
One of the captives blew the whistle on his bosses in mid-July, leading local authorities to the five dozen hearing- and speech-impaired Mexicans in two Queens homes. A federal complaint alleges the captors used scare tactics and physical threats to force their charges to sell cheap toys and key chains for 10 or 11 hours a day, seven days a week. U.S. District Attorney Zachary Carter says the slave labor ring existed for ``the sole purpose of exploiting hearing impaired aliens.''
The defendants reportedly earned $1 million from the operation. The freed captives are staying at the Westway Hotel in Queens until they can serve as material witnesses in their ex-bosses' trials. None of them have filed for political asylum, so their fate is undecided.