Thread: I.C.E & C.B.P. News Releases 03/11/2019

I.C.E. News Releases


03/11/2019

NEWARK, NJ

NARCOTICS


Authorities seize approximately 3,200 pounds of cocaine
An examination of a shipping container entering the United States revealed 60 packages containing a white powdery substance that field-tested positive for cocaine. This apprehension is the second largest cocaine seizure at the Port of New York/Newark, and the largest in nearly 25 years.



03/11/2019

CONROE, TX



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Former Texas A&M Forest Service firefighter ordered to serve 30 years for sexual assaulting a girl for 9 years
On March 6, in the 359th Montgomery County (Texas) District Court, Jeffrey Pittman, 47, from Porter, Texas, pleaded guilty to and was ordered to serve 30 years in prison for continuous sexual assault of a child; he was also sentenced to 20 years for sexual assault of a child. Pittman’s sentences are to be served concurrently. He is not eligible for early parole.



03/11/2019

DETROIT, MI



INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS


Homeland Security officials launch new Detroit task force to protect national security, thwart counterfeits
In an effort to mitigate vulnerabilities within the commerce stream that threaten the nation’s consumers and to protect national security, Homeland Security officials recently launched its Global Trade Task Force (GTTF), an ICE HSI-led multi-agency effort that leverages robust import and export controls and investigative authorities to combat illicit commercial activities.



03/08/2019

NEW YORK, NY



FINANCIAL CRIMES


Venezuelan Minister and Former Vice President Tareck Zaidan El Aissami Maddah charged with violations of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act
Following an investigation by ICE’s HSI New York’s El Dorado Task Force, the former Venezuelan Vice President Tareck Zaidan El Aissami Maddah (“El Aissami”) and Venezuelan businessman Samark Jose Lopez Bello were charged Thursday with criminal violations of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act and sanctions imposed in February 2017 by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control pursuant to the Kingpin Act.




03/07/2019

PHOENIX, AZ



FINANCIAL CRIMES


7 people, including 3 Filipinos, charged with fraudulently selling jewelry imported from the Philippines as Native American-made
On Feb. 26, a federal grand jury returned a 38-count indictment against U.S. and Philippines-based conspirators for operating a fraudulent scheme to import Native American-style jewelry and sell it to retail stores and individuals across the southwest United States as authentic jewelry made by Native Americans. The conspirators allegedly perpetrated this international fraud and money laundering scheme for several years in violation of federal laws, including the Indian Arts and Crafts Act (IACA).



03/07/2019

WASHINGTON, DC



HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATORS


ICE investigation leads to denaturalization of convicted war criminal who fraudulently obtained US citizenship
The court’s order was based on its finding that Sammy Rasema Yetisen aka Rasema Handanovic aka Zolja, a native of the former Yugoslavia, lacked the good moral character required to naturalize because during the 1990s Balkans Conflicts she had executed six unarmed civilians and prisoners of war because of their religion and ethnicity.



03/07/2019

WASHINGTON, DC



FINANCIAL CRIMES


Mobile Telesystems PJSC and its Uzbek subsidiary enter into resolutions of $850 million with the Department of Justice for paying bribes in Uzbekistan
Gulnara Karimova, 46, a citizen of Uzbekistan, was charged in an indictment filed in the Southern District of New York on March 7 with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Karimova is a former Uzbek official who allegedly had influence over the Uzbek governmental body that regulated the telecom industry. Bekhzod Akhmedov, 44, a citizen of Uzbekistan and the former Uzbek executive, was charged in the same indictment with one count of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), two counts of violating the FCPA, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Karimova’s and Akhmedov’s case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Kimba Wood of the Southern District of New York.



03/07/2019

LOS ANGELES, CA



NARCOTICS


3 SoCal men arrested in scheme in which Chinese money allegedly funded 7 Inland Empire marijuana grow houses
In conjunction with the arrests, law enforcement executed search warrants at Li’s home and seven marijuana grow houses in Chino, Ontario and Chino Hills. As a result of the searches, authorities seized approximately 1,650 marijuana plants from several grow houses, as well as cash at Li’s house currently estimated to be at least $80,000.




03/07/2019

MCALLEN, TX



CONTRABAND


South Texas jury convicts local police officer of aiding and abetting, intent to distribute cocaine
Giovanni Hernandez, 45, from Weslaco, Texas, was convicted March 7 for his role in aiding and abetting that included attempting to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.



03/06/2019

PROVIDENCE, RI



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Mass. man sentenced to 7 years following ICE HSI Boston, Rhode Island State Police child exploitation investigation
Fetahe Makonnen, 35, was convicted and sentenced after being arrested in October 2017, in possession of two computer thumb drives containing approximately 1,300 images and videos depicting child pornography involving prepubescent children.



03/05/2019

NEW YORK, NY



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE arrests more than 20 released in New York after detainers ignored
During the month of February 2019, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal’s (ERO) deportation officers assigned to the New York Field Office arrested more than 20 criminal aliens throughout their area of responsibility, after they were released from local law enforcement custody with an active immigration detainer in place.



03/05/2019

LINCOLN, NE



WORKSITE ENFORCEMENT


Nebraska illegal alien pleads guilty to conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens
Juan Pablo Sanchez-Delgado, 40, of Mexico, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cheryl R. Zwart. Conspiring to harbor aliens, when done for financial gain, is punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.




03/04/2019

PITTSBURGH, PA



NARCOTICS


Pittsburgh man pleads guilty to drug trafficking, money laundering charges
Richard Stuart Wright, 76, pleaded guilty to aforementioned charges. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 60 years in prison, a fine of up to $2,500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of a defendant.



03/04/2019

FARGO, ND



CULTURAL PROPERTY, ART AND ANTIQUITIES INVESTIGATIONS


Nigerian man, former US permanent resident, sentenced in North Dakota to additional 10 years in federal prison for obstruction of justice
U.S. District Court Judge Linda R. Reade sentenced Michael Adefemi Adeyemo, aka Adekunle Olufemi Adetiloye, 47, to serve 10 years in federal prison, which is the statutory maximum for obstruction of justice under federal law. Adeyemo is a citizen of Nigeria who was living in Canada when he was extradited to the United States.



02/28/2019

GRAND RAPIDS, MI



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE arrests 3 released in western Michigan after detainers ignored
Deportation officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) have arrested three criminal aliens in western Michigan over the last several weeks after they were released from Kent County Sheriff’s custody with an active immigration detainer in place.



02/28/2019

EL PASO, TX



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


ICE discovers 67 illegal aliens, including 6 unaccompanied teens, in deplorable conditions in a shed in NM
Tomas Miguel Mateo, 38, of Guatemala, is charged in a federal criminal complaint with harboring the illegal aliens and with unlawfully re-entering the United States after having been previously deported.




02/28/2019

GREAT FALLS, MT



NARCOTICS


Montana woman who hid methamphetamine in her body sentenced to 5 ½ years in federal prison
Macedonia Frances Mondragon, 33, from Great Falls, pleaded guilty in November 2018 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.



02/27/2019

PHILADELPHIA, PA



DOCUMENT AND BENEFIT FRAUD


Philadelphia man convicted in identity theft scheme
Bakary Camara, 32, bribed his co-conspirator Henry Gibbs (a former PennDOT agent) in order to unlawfully obtain Pennsylvania learner’s permits and non-commercial and commercial driver’s licenses for foreign nationals and others. Some of the individuals for whom the defendant assisted in getting a driver’s license did not speak English and could not pass the DMV knowledge tests.



02/27/2019

WASHINGTON, DC



FINANCIAL CRIMES


2 Florida businessmen charged in Houston with foreign bribery in Venezuelan scheme
Rafael Enrique Pinto Franceschi (Pinto), 40, of Miami, Florida, and Franz Herman Muller Huber, 68, of Weston, Florida, were charged in a five-count indictment returned in the Southern District of Texas on Feb. 21 and unsealed Feb. 26. Pinto and Muller are each charged with one count of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, two counts of wire fraud, and one count of conspiracy to launder money.



02/27/2019

VICTORIA, TX



NARCOTICS


South Texas father, son plead guilty to using racehorse business to conceal transnational drug trafficking organization
Raul Beltran Jr., 50, and his son Edward Beltran, 24, both of Rio Grande City, Texas, pleaded guilty Feb. 25 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance (more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana).




02/26/2019

PHILADELPHIA, PA



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


Honduran national convicted in child rape sentenced to federal prison for re-entry after deportation
Juan Ramon-Vasquez, 51, was sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment, to be served consecutive to his state sentence, for his federal crime of illegal reentry to the United States after deportation.



02/26/2019

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA



OPERATIONAL


Brazilian man sentenced to a year in federal prison for intimidating, interfering with a flight crew and flight attendants
Information disclosed in the case shows that, on or about June 23, 2018, Guilherme Alves De Melo (Alves), 34, a citizen of Brazil, was a passenger on an international American Airlines flight originating in Calgary, Canada, and bound for Chicago, Illinois.



02/25/2019

WASHINGTON, DC



OPERATIONAL


Joint Statement from ICE and CBP on stillbirth in custody
On Feb. 22, while being processed for release from DHS custody, a 24-year-old Honduran woman went into premature labor and delivered a stillborn baby at the Port Isabel Detention Center (PIDC).



02/22/2019

NEW YORK, NY



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE removes UK national convicted of violating FATCA
Adrian Paul Baron, 64, was removed to London, via a commercial flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.




02/22/2019

WASHINGTON, DC



HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATORS


Ethiopian human rights abuser pleads guilty to fraudulently obtaining US citizenship by admitted series of lies in naturalization process, including failure to disclose participation in persecution during the Red Terror period in Ethiopia
Mergia Negussie Habteyes, 58, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawfully procuring naturalization contrary to law before U.S. District Judge T. S. Ellis III of the Eastern District of Virginia. A sentencing hearing before Judge Ellis is scheduled for May 17, 2019.

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News from CBP

March 11, 2019 | Local Media Release
Convicted Rapist Attempts to Enter United States with 17 Year-Old-Daughter

March 11, 2019 | Local Media Release
Homeland Security officials launch new Detroit task force to protect national security

March 11, 2019 | Local Media Release
Yuma Border Patrol Assists Local Man in Medical Distress


More News


C.B.P. Media Releases

Media Releases from the previous administrations are available in the Archive section of our website.


San Luis CBP Officers Catch Body Carrier
Monday, March 11, 2019 | Local Media Release
TUCSON, Ariz. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Arizona’s Port of San Luis arrested a female U.S. citizen during a failed narcotics smuggling attempt Sunday. A CBP canine alerted officers to abody carrier of cocaineOffice of Field...
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Border Patrol Continues to Arrest Criminals in the Rio Grande Valley
Monday, March 11, 2019 | Local Media ReleaseEDINBURG, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley arrested two sex offenders in the last four days. On Friday, McAllen agents working near Hidalgo, Texas, arrested a Mexican national whose record checks revealed a prior arrest by...
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Smugglers test lack of infrastructure in the Rio Grande Valley
Monday, March 11, 2019 | Local Media ReleaseEDINBURG, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents disrupted multiple smuggling attempts that resulted in the seizure of more than 1000 pounds of narcotics. Saturday, Rio Grande City agents working near La Rosita, Texas, observed several subjects with...
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Yuma Border Patrol Assists Local Man in Medical Distress
Monday, March 11, 2019 | Local Media ReleaseYUMA, Ariz. – Wellton Station agents assisted a motorist who was having a medical emergency as he arrived at the Interstate 8 Immigration Checkpoint Friday afternoon. Last Friday at approximately 1:15 p.m., a 52-year-old Yuma resident arrived at the...
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Homeland Security officials launch new Detroit task force to protect national security
Monday, March 11, 2019 | Local Media ReleaseDETROIT— ​In an effort to mitigate vulnerabilities within the commerce stream that threaten the nation’s consumers and to protect national security, Homeland Security officials recently launched its Global Trade Task Force (GTTF), a U.S. Immigration...
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Convicted Rapist Attempts to Enter United States with 17 Year-Old-Daughter
Monday, March 11, 2019 | Local Media ReleaseEL PASO, Texas – This past Thursday, U.S. Border Patrol Agents working in downtown El Paso arrested a father and daughter illegally entering the U.S. from Mexico. Record checks later showed that the father was a convicted rapist. The morning of...
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Border Patrol Agent Helps Deliver Baby on Interstate 10
Monday, March 11, 2019 | Local Media ReleaseLAS CRUCES, N.M. – U.S. Border Patrol Agent responded to a medical emergency on Interstate 10, between Deming and Las Cruces, and ended up assisting a pregnant women deliver her baby girl. Just before noon on Sunday, March 10, the Las Cruces...
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CBP, HSI, DEA, USCG, NYSP & NYPD Approximately 3,200 Pounds of Cocaine Seized
Monday, March 11, 2019 | Local Media ReleaseNEWARK, NJ – On February 28, approximately 3,200 lbs. of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $77,000,000, was seized at the Port of New York/Newark in a joint operation involving U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the U. S. Coast...
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Border Patrol Disrupts Alien Smuggling Event in Upstate New York
Saturday, March 9, 2019 | Local Media ReleaseHogansburg, N.Y. – On Thursday, March 7, U.S. Border Patrol agents disrupted an alien smuggling event in Hogansburg, NY. On Thursday afternoon, U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to Massena Border Patrol Station observed a suspicious vehicle in...
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Human Smuggling Attempt in Semi-Tractor Trailer Thwarted at BP Checkpoint
Friday, March 8, 2019 | Local Media ReleaseTUCSON, Ariz. – Nogales Border Patrol agents arrested an Arizona man driving a semi-tractor and trailer after he attempted to smuggle three illegal aliens through the Interstate 19 immigration checkpoint Thursday night. Agents referred the 45-year...
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Operation Stonegarden Partnership Leads to Arrest of Dangerous Fugitive
Friday, March 8, 2019 | Local Media ReleaseTUCSON, Ariz. – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents assisted Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Deputies in arresting a dangerous fugitive that fled into a remote desert area west of Gold Canyon, Tuesday afternoon. Agents patrolling aboard a Pinal...
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Port of San Luis CBP Officers Seize Meth worth $190K
Friday, March 8, 2019 | Local Media ReleaseTUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrested a Buckeye resident attempting to smuggle nearly 64 pounds of methamphetamine through the Port of San Luis Wednesday night. Officers referred the 29-year-old U.S. woman for an...
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CBP Officers Remain Vigilant and Intercept SENTRI Participants Attempting to Smuggle $109K in Cocaine at the Gateway to the Americas International Bridge
Friday, March 8, 2019 | Local Media ReleaseLAREDO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers continue their strong enforcement posture as they intercept travelers enrolled in the Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI...
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Border Patrol Seizes More Than 60 lbs of Marijuana in New York
Friday, March 8, 2019 | Local Media ReleaseChateaugay, N.Y. – U.S. Border Patrol agents—with the assistance of New York State Police—arrested three U.S. citizens involved in transporting 60.36 pounds of marijuana near Chateaugay, NY. On Thursday, March 7, U.S. Border Patrol agents...
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Todd Bellew Appointed as CBP Area Port Director for US Virgin Islands
Friday, March 8, 2019 | Local Media ReleaseST.THOMAS, Virgin Islands – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the today the appointment of Todd Bellew as the Area Port Director; the highest-ranking officer for the San Juan Office of Field Operations within the U.S. Virgin Islands...
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Nogales CBP Officers Seize Mixed Load
Friday, March 8, 2019 | Local Media ReleaseTUCSON, Ariz. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Port of Nogales seized nearly $240,000 worth of methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl Wednesday morning. CBP Officers at the Dennis DeConcini Crossing referred a 57-year-old U.S....
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Lukeville CBP Officers Seize Cocaine
Friday, March 8, 2019 | Local Media ReleaseTUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Arizona’s Port of Lukeville arrested a Mexican national involved in a failed smuggling attempt Wednesday. Officers referred a 44-year-old Caborca, Sonora, Mexico man for a secondary...
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CBP to host town hall meetings to discuss adjusted hours at four Montana ports of entry
Friday, March 8, 2019 | Local Media ReleaseChange will affect Ports of Raymond, Opheim, Scobey and Morgan SWEETGRASS, Mont. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will be adjusting the hours of operation at the Ports of Raymond, Opheim, Scobey, and Morgan beginning April 14, 2019. CBP...
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Border Patrol Arrests Previously Deported Aggravated Felon
Thursday, March 7, 2019 | Local Media ReleaseTUCSON, Ariz. – Nogales Station Border Patrol agents apprehended a previously deported Mexican national with a violent criminal history which includes sexual assault, after he entered the U.S. illegally Wednesday evening in Nogales. During...
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Large Groups of Aliens Encountered in Big Bend Sector
Thursday, March 7, 2019 | Local Media ReleaseMARFA, Texas – Family unit aliens are crossing the southwest borders in record numbers. During this fiscal year 2019 through February, the United States Border Patrol (USBP) has apprehended 268,044 individuals, that is a 97% increase as compared to...
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CBP Air and Marine Operations, Vital During Medical Emergency on Water
Thursday, March 7, 2019 | Local Media Release
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CBP Preclearance Offers Tips for Spring International Travelers
Thursday, March 7, 2019 | National Media ReleaseWASHINGTON – As March signals the beginning of and Spring Break vacations to warmer destinations like the Bahamas (Nassau and Freeport), Aruba, and Bermuda, CBP Preclearance locations in these countries encourages travelers to ‘Know Before You Go. U...
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More Than 700 Taken Into Custody by El Paso Border Patrol Agents Overnight; Two Previously Removed Sex Offenders Also Nabbed During Influx
Wednesday, March 6, 2019 | Local Media ReleaseEL PASO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents working in El Paso apprehended several large groups between last night and late afternoon Wednesday. These groups, like many others before, are comprised primarily of Central American families and...
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CBP Announces Change in I-94 Permit Application Process for Travelers at Tecate Port of Entry
Wednesday, March 6, 2019 | Local Media ReleaseTECATE, Calif. — CBP officials at the Tecate port of entry are advising that the I-94 travel permit application process will change in the near future. Citizens of Mexico who require I-94 travel permits will only be allowed to obtain the document...
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El Servicio de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza Organiza Ceremonia de Cambio de Mando para el Director del Puerto de Brownsville, Tater Ortiz
Wednesday, March 6, 2019 | Local Media ReleaseBROWNSVILLE, Texas - La Oficina Regional de Laredo (LFO por sus siglas en inglés) de Aduanas y Protección de Fronteras (CBP por sus siglas en inglés) de EE. UU. organizó una ceremonia de cambio de mando celebrada en el Texas Southmost College...
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