News from April 2023
ERO Newark arrests 2 noncitizens with criminal convictions during nationwide operation
By Homeland Newswire Report | Apr 3, 2023
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Newark apprehended two removable noncitizens, one having been convicted of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and the other convicted of felony endangering the welfare of a child (sexual conduct) during a nationwide enforcement effort from March 4 to March 13.
Southern California man sentenced to over 16 years for trafficking counterfeit fentanyl pills
By Homeland Newswire Report | Apr 3, 2023
A Southern California man received a lengthy prison sentence for his involvement in trafficking illicit drugs.
Mexican citizen pleads guilty to firearms smuggling after HSI Del Rio investigation
By Homeland Newswire Report | Apr 3, 2023
A Mexican citizen pleaded guilty in federal court March 20 to smuggling firearms and ammunition into Mexico from the United States. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection investigated.
"Suicide Squad" sentenced for trafficking drugs worth over $1.6M following HSI McAllen, federal partner investigation
By Homeland Newswire Report | Apr 3, 2023
U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani announced that three people have been sent to prison for conspiracy to import heroin and fentanyl into the United States from Mexico.
Texas college student pleads guilty to possession of child pornography after HSI investigation
By Homeland Newswire Report | Apr 3, 2023
A South Texas college student pleaded guilty March 21 to possession of child sexual abuse material following a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Task Force investigation.
Operation Blue Lotus stops more than 900 pounds of fentanyl from entering US in first week
By Homeland Newswire Report | Apr 3, 2023
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Operation Blue Lotus, a new and coordinated surge operation targeting fentanyl smuggling, has stopped more than 900 pounds of the drug from entering the United States during its first week.
ERO Philadelphia arrests 21 noncitizens with criminal convictions during a nationwide operation
By Homeland Newswire Report | Apr 3, 2023
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Philadelphia apprehended 21 removable noncitizens identified as having been convicted of felony rape, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, unlawful possession or use of a firearm, drug distribution or trafficking, or driving under the influence who had been released from incarceration on parole or placed on probation into communities under supervision during a nation-wide enforcement effort between March 4 and March 13.
HSI McAllen investigation results in Texas man’s guilty plea for receipt of child sexual abuse material
By Homeland Newswire Report | Apr 3, 2023
Hugo Benjamin Tijerina, 36, of Pharr, pleaded guilty in federal court March 21 after admitting he received videos and images containing child sexual abuse material on his laptop.
ERO Chicago arrests 17 noncitizens with criminal convictions during nationwide operation
By Homeland Newswire Report | Apr 3, 2023
Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Chicago apprehended 17 removable noncitizens identified as having been convicted of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, unlawful possession or use of a firearm, drug distribution or trafficking, or driving under the influence who had been released from incarceration on parole or placed on probation into communities under supervision during a nationwide enforcement effort between March 4 and March 13.
HSI El Paso seizes 10,617 doses of counterfeit prescription drugs imported from Mexico
By Homeland Newswire Report | Apr 3, 2023
Special agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso seized more than 10,000 doses of counterfeit pharmaceuticals and prescription drugs March 17 from area businesses, including a grocery store and flea market.
Co-conspirators indicted for roles in global human smuggling conspiracy
By Homeland Newswire Report | Apr 3, 2023
Extensive coordination and cooperation efforts between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement authorities, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), culminated in Interpol Mexico and the Fuerza Estatal de Seguridad Ciudadana (FESC) arresting a human smuggler and a co-conspirator alleged to have operated on the U.S.-Mexico border for several years.
2 conspirators indicted in global human smuggling conspiracy after HSI Yuma investigation
By Homeland Newswire Report | Apr 3, 2023
U.S. and Mexican law enforcement authorities, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), cooperated to help Interpol and the Fuerza Estatal de Seguridad Ciudadana (FESC) arrest a human smuggler and their co-conspirator who officials allege has operated on the U.S.-Mexico border for several years.
Former mayor of Les Irois, Haiti arrested for visa fraud following HSI investigation
By Homeland Newswire Report | Apr 3, 2023
Jean Morose Viliena, 50, was indicted March 23 for illegally obtaining a permanent resident card, commonly referred to as a green card, by means of a false statement — specifically that he had not ordered, carried out or materially assisted in extrajudicial and political killings and other acts of violence against the Haitian people.
ERO Boston removes fugitive wanted for kidnapping in Mexico
By Homeland Newswire Report | Apr 3, 2023
Deportation officers with Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston removed Francisco Lopez-Lopez, a 50-year-old unlawfully present Mexican national and foreign fugitive wanted for kidnapping in Mexico on March 22. Lopez-Lopez unlawfully entered the United States on two prior occasions.
Texas man arrested for selling fentanyl-laced pills that led to someone’s death
By Homeland Newswire Report | Apr 3, 2023
Authorities arrested Ricardo Julyan Kross Rios, a 21-year-old Corpus Christi resident, March 23 at his residence in Corpus Christi for delivery of fentanyl resulting in death and possession of fentanyl with the intent to distribute
ERO Harlingen arrests 7 criminal noncitizens during nationwide operation
By Homeland Newswire Report | Apr 3, 2023
Officers with Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Harlingen apprehended seven removable noncitizens during a nationwide enforcement effort between March 4 and March 13.
Moving assault weapons into Mexico lands former cartel leader’s son in prison following HSI Harlingen, ATF investigation
By Homeland Newswire Report | Apr 3, 2023
A former cartel leader’s son was sentenced Thursday to federal prison following his conviction of smuggling goods from the United States.
ERO New York City arrests foreign fugitive wanted in Brazil for rape of minor
By Homeland Newswire Report | Apr 3, 2023
On March 6, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) New York City deportation officers arrested an international fugitive wanted in Brazil for rape and carnal abuse of a minor.
ERO Houston removes previously deported Honduran fugitive wanted for murder
By Homeland Newswire Report | Apr 3, 2023
Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Houston, with assistance from ERO Honduras and the Security Alliance for Fugitive Enforcement (SAFE) in Honduras, removed Juan Manuel Mena Dolmo, a 35-year-old previously deported Honduran national, from the U.S. on March 22.
Gold Nuggets and Bars Worth $67,830 Seized by Cincinnati CBP
By Homeland Newswire Report | Apr 3, 2023
On March 9, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers stationed at the Port of Cincinnati seized an outbound shipment declared as containing clothing after they discovered it also contained loose gold and gold bars worth far more than the declared value of $125 USD