US baby smugglers jailed

Rayes said he wanted to save Mexican children from exploitation

By Jane Hughes in New York

Three people have been sentenced to prison in New York City for operating a baby-smuggling ring which involved charging would-be parents ten of thousands of dollars for adoptions.

The three smuggled at least 23 Mexican babies into the United States over the course of several years.

They received prison terms of up to two and a half years.

The baby-smuggling ring was operated from Douglas, Arizona, a small town near the Mexican border, where Mario Reyes, a lawyer, arranged for young children to be bought illegally into the United States.

Two women in Long Island, New York set up bogus adoption businesses to steer prospective parents to Rayes.

The parents paid up to $20,000 to adopt children they believed to be legal immigrants.

The women also lied about the health of the youngsters, some of whom had serious medical complaints.

Extradition request

Reyes said he was acting in the best interests of the children by taking them away from lives of poverty.

"I saved lives," he told the judge.

"I firmly believe I did not damage or hurt anyone."

He was sentenced to two and a half years in jail and ordered to pay a $125,000 fine.

Mexico has said it wants to extradite Reyes on charges of trafficking in children and illegally holding a minor.

Arlene Lieberman and Arlene Reingold both received 15-month sentences and were fined $43,500 each.

US officials have said the Mexican children will all be allowed to stay with their adoptive parents.