By DSS Public Affairs Specialist Eric Weiner
Lima, Peru – A years-long investigation led by the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) has resulted in the dismantling of a human smuggling network operating out of Peru. The investigation culminated on March 17, 2025, when the Peruvian Prosecutor’s Office Against Organized Crime secured a 32-year prison sentence for Marco Antonio Piscoche, a key figure in the smuggling operation.
Piscoche’s sentencing marks a significant victory against transnational organized crime, achieved through a joint effort between DSS, the Peruvian National Police, and the Peruvian Prosecutor’s Office Against Organized Crime.
Uncovering the Smuggling Network
The investigation began in 2017 when DSS special agents and investigators at the U.S. Embassy in Peru identified irregularities in non-immigrant visa applications submitted by Peruvian citizens. Further analysis revealed that more than 120 applicants had obtained U.S. visas using fraudulent services provided by Piscoche.
Collaborating with the Peruvian National Police, DSS uncovered a broader scheme in which Piscoche facilitated visa fraud and smuggled individuals from Peru into the United States via Mexico. His criminal network provided counterfeit documents and bribed officials to secure entry into the U.S., charging clients up to $15,000 per case.
A History of Crime and International Operations
Further investigations by the Peruvian Prosecutor’s Office revealed Piscoche’s extensive criminal history. Before establishing his human smuggling network, he was arrested in Nicaragua for trafficking children.
Despite this, he went on to lead a criminal enterprise that laundered over $1.3 million through a front company while orchestrating bribery schemes and illegal border crossings. His operations finally came to an end in 2020, when Peruvian authorities arrested him and his associates.
DSS's Role in Combating Transnational Crime
The successful prosecution of Piscoche underscores the critical role DSS plays in combating international human smuggling and visa fraud. DSS agents stationed in more than 270 U.S. diplomatic posts across 170 countries work closely with international law enforcement partners to identify and dismantle transnational criminal networks.
By leveraging global partnerships and investigative expertise, DSS remains at the forefront of efforts to prevent individuals from fraudulently obtaining U.S. travel documents and unlawfully entering the country. The Piscoche case serves as a testament to the agency’s commitment to protecting the integrity of U.S. borders and upholding international security.
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