Mexican authorities say they have broken up a child trafficking ring involving children being smuggled from Latin America to the United States.
Police have made three arrests in the case. They say two of the suspects, both women, were arrested after arriving at Tijuana International Airport near the U.S. border with six children. Investigators also say the women raised suspicions after booking return flights to Mexico City without the youngsters.
After questioning the women, police found at least five Salvadoran children living in what authorities described as "deplorable conditions" at a house in central Mexico state.
Police also say two other people suspected of involvement in the ring have been located in Los Angeles, California. It is not clear, however, whether they too have been taken into custody.
Both the FBI and Salvadoran authorities are assisting in the case.
It is feared many more children may have been smuggled by the ring. Authorities say they are investigating the possibility the youngsters were being smuggled as part of an adoption for money scheme, child prostitution or organ trafficking.