The U.S. Justice Department is ramping up efforts to target human smuggling operations exploiting America's northern border, officials announced Thursday, citing growing concerns about sophisticated criminal networks that transport migrants for profit expanding beyond the southern border.

The expansion of Joint Task Force Alpha, which was created in 2021 to investigate and prosecute human smuggling groups, is aimed at cracking down on operations often linked to cartels that can expose migrants to exploitation and abuse.

In one recently charged case, authorities allege children were given THC-laced candy in order to sedate them as they were being taken across the border.

“Let me be clear: If you smuggle human beings, you will be found, you will be prosecuted and you will be brought to justice,” Attorney General Pam Bondi told reporters during a visit to Tampa, Florida, on Thursday.

Four cases recently charged by the department highlight how smugglers rake in huge profits sneaking migrants into the U.S. In one case, charging 12 people, prosecutors say migrants were charged as much as $40,000 and more than $7 million in Zelle payments were exchanged.

In another case, prosecutors charged a woman accused of transporting migrants from Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador who had crossed over from Canada.