I.C.E. News Release

November 18, 2008

Thirty two gang members and associates arrested by ICE and local law enforcement partners

Single-day operation sends clear zero-tolerance message to gang criminals that threaten Garden State communities

NEWARK , NJ - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents working, with several New Jersey law enforcement agencies, arrested 32 gang members and associates today in the Butler and Bloomingdale area.

Twelve of those arrested are violent gang members from Mexico, some with criminal records which include aggravated assault, robbery and domestic violence. One of the gang members was previously convicted for assaulting a pregnant female.

All 32 individuals have been charged with administrative immigration violations.

"ICE remains committed to bringing transnational gang members to justice - here in New Jersey or wherever they threaten our citizens. With the arrest of these 32 gang members and associates, the impact on public safety is undeniable," said Matthew J. Etre, acting special agent in charge, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Newark.

ICE partnered with the Butler Police Department, Bloomingdale Police Department, Morris County Park Police and Passaic County Prosecutor's Office during the operation. ICE targets all transnational criminal street gangs that endanger our communities and pose a potential threat to national security. The multi-agency operation resulted in the seizure of gang paraphernalia and approximately $10,000.

"The Borough of Bloomingdale has certainly experienced its share of the problems associated with criminal street gangs. The cooperation and assistance afforded by ICE has been extremely valuable," said Detective Sergeant Steve Caputo.

"Butler Police assisted and cooperated with ICE in their law enforcement duties on immigration and illegal aliens to prevent and deter those suspected of gang activity, and to disrupt their ability to possibly engage in criminal matters, all which can affect the community," said Butler Police Chief Edward Card.

These enforcement actions are part of ICE's Operation Community Shield, which involves strong partnerships and cooperation with existing federal, state and local anti-gang efforts. ICE uses intelligence on gang organizations and leadership provided by state and local authorities. This information is used whenever possible to arrest, prosecute, and/or deport individual gang members.

Earlier this year, in June, agents from the ICE Office of the Special Agent in Charge, Newark, NJ, along with the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office, Union City Police Department and West New York Police Department, conducted an enforcement operation in the Hudson County, New Jersey area, which resulted in the arrests of 39 violent gang members.

Nationally, together with our federal, state and local partners, ICE agents have arrested more than 11,400 known gang members and associates, representing hundreds of criminal gangs. Many of those arrested have violent criminal histories with convictions for murder, robbery, rape and assault. In New Jersey more than 250 violent gang members and their associates have been arrested by ICE this year.

To report suspicious activity, members of the public should call the ICE at 1-866-DHS-2ICE.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

Last Modified: Tuesday, November 18, 2008
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0811/081118newark.htm