I.C.E. News Releases


09/24/2018

HO CHI MINH CITY,VIETNAM

OPERATIONAL


ICE HSI Ho Chi Minh City participates in destruction of 13 tons of seized counterfeit items
The destruction – which marked the first time Vietnam has invited U.S. government representatives in Ho Chi Minh City to attend such an event – came on the heels of a visit to Vietnam by White House Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator Vishal Amin and HSI Global Trade Investigations Assistant Director Alex Khu.



09/20/2018

SAN ANGELO, TX



HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATORS


West Texas ICE special agents arrest former Peruvian army sergeant wanted for his alleged role in 'Santa Barbara Massacre'
On Sept. 17, HSI San Angelo special agents arrested former Peruvian Army Second Sergeant Dennis Wilfredo Pacheco-Zambrano, 48, in San Angelo. Pacheco is wanted in Peru for his alleged role in the July 4, 1991, torture, rape and extrajudicial killing of 15 Peruvian civilians in the rural village of Santa Barbara, Peru.



09/14/2018

NEWARK, NJ



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE removes Guatemalan national wanted for murder
ERO deportation officers turned Arnulfo Silva-Gonzalez over to Guatemalan authorities at La Aurora International Airport upon his arrival in his home country.



09/14/2018

LOS ANGELES, CA



NARCOTICS


Indictment targeting massive international cocaine conspiracy unsealed with arrival in US of extradited Colombian kingpin
In addition to the extradition of Victor Hugo Cuellar-Silva last night and yesterday’s arrests of codefendants in California and Massachusetts, six other defendants are pending extradition after being previously taken into custody in Colombia and Thailand. Authorities continue to work to secure the arrests of a number of fugitives, including Angel Humberto Chavez-Gastelum, the alleged ringleader of the international trafficking ring, who is believed to be in Mexico.




09/13/2018

HOUSTON, TX



FINANCIAL CRIMES


Texas business executive pleads guilty in scheme to bribe Venezuelan official
Juan Carlos Castillo Rincon (Castillo), 55, of Conroe, Texas, previously of Miami, Florida, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas to one count of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Castillo is scheduled to be sentenced, Feb. 21, 2019.



09/12/2018

HOUSTON, TX



CHILD EXPLOITATION


Southeast Texas man gets 35 years for sexual exploitation and child pornography
Stephen P. Lynch, 43, of Kingwood, Texas, was sentenced to 360 months for sexual exploitation of a minor, and 60 months for possession of child pornography, respectively. His prison terms will run consecutively. Lynch pleaded guilty to both charges on June 6, 2018.



09/12/2018

PHILADELPHIA, PA



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE removes human trafficking suspect wanted in El Salvador
Manuel Humberto Guillen-Galdamez, 28, departed the U.S. from Alexandria International Airport in Alexandria, Louisiana, and ERO transferred him to Salvadoran law enforcement authorities without incident at Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (MSLP) in San Salvador, El Salvador.



09/12/2018

NEW YORK, NY



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE arrests 16 during 2-day Operation SOAR in the New York City metropolitan area
In the course of Operation SOAR, ERO deportation officers apprehended 16 individuals with criminal histories related to sexual offenses. Of those arrested, 5 were previously released from local law enforcement on an active detainer.




09/10/2018

LAREDO, TX



HUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING


2 Mexican men plead guilty for their role in human smuggling case resulting in death
On Sept. 10, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo accepted the guilty pleas of Mario Emiliano-Herrera and Julio Cesar Lopez-Nino, both 19 and from Mexico, for their role in transporting illegal aliens, resulting in a death.



09/07/2018

BANGKOK, THAILAND



FINANCIAL CRIMES


ICE HSI Bangkok hosts inaugural financial investigations training
Attendees of this initial block of training included officers, investigators, inspectors and analysts from various Thai, Vietnamese and Indonesian law enforcement agencies.



09/07/2018

WASHINGTON, DC



HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATORS


US, UK law enforcement sign proclamation against female genital mutilation and cutting
On August 30, law enforcement from the two nations also gathered at the U.S. embassy in London to sign a proclamation affirming their commitment to end the practice of FGM/C in both countries and around the world.



09/05/2018

PHILADELPHIA, PA



FINANCIAL CRIMES


Former Bucks County official pleads guilty to money laundering and extortion charges
Robert P. Hoopes, 71, of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and four counts of Hobbs Act extortion under color of official right.




08/31/2018

NEW YORK, NY



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE removes Jamaican national wanted for murder
According to Jamaican law enforcement authorities, on June 12, 2017, Wayne Thompson, 24, got involved in an argument with an adult male, over a woman, pulled a firearm and shot the adult male, who succumbed to his injuries.



08/30/2018

DENVER, CO



FIREARMS, AMMUNITION AND EXPLOSIVES


Colorado woman sentenced to 3 years in federal prison for illegally exporting firearms to the Dominican Republic
A jury found Katherine O'Neal, 43, guilty of smuggling goods from the United States on March 6, 2018. O'Neal was acquitted on other counts alleging false information on firearm-purchase forms and money laundering.



08/29/2018

HOUSTON, TX



TRANSNATIONAL GANGS


Houston-area member of gang known for preying on illegal aliens sentenced to 40 years for rape, robbery
Aron Alexi Herrera Munguia, 29, from Honduras, was sentenced to 40 years for raping and robbing two women who owned a bar in the Houston, Texas, area. Munguia is the sixth member of Los Tumbadores to be convicted in state court as part of this investigation.



08/29/2018

HOUSTON, TX



WORKSITE ENFORCEMENT


Houston-based waste management company forfeits more than $5.5 million for knowingly hiring illegal aliens
Houston-based Waste Management of Texas has agreed to forfeit more than $5.5 million and perform remedial measures for a documented pattern and practice of hiring illegal aliens at the company’s Afton, Texas, location.




08/29/2018

CHICAGO, IL



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE arrests 364 criminal aliens and immigration violators in 30-day enforcement surge in 6 Midwestern states
During this operation, ERO deportation officers made arrests in the following states: Illinois (134), Indiana (52), Kansas (43), Kentucky (60), Missouri (42) and Wisconsin (33). Of the 364 arrested, 187 had criminal convictions. Eighteen women and 346 men were arrested.



08/28/2018

SUMNER, TX



WORKSITE ENFORCEMENT


ICE executes federal criminal search warrants in North Texas
As part of an ongoing criminal investigation, special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed criminal search warrants at a North Texas business. HSI also arrested more than 100 company employees on federal immigration violations who were unlawfully working in the United States at the trailer-manufacturing business.



08/28/2018

MCALLEN, TX



FIREARMS, AMMUNITION AND EXPLOSIVES


South Texas man sentenced to 51 months for firearms straw purchase
Alexis Lopez, 21, from Roma, Texas, was sentenced Aug. 28 by U.S. District Judge Randy Crane to 51 months in prison. The sentence was enhanced as the court took into consideration the fact that Lopez recruited and directed three straw purchasers to purchase a total of four .50 caliber rifles on his behalf.



08/27/2018

WILMINGTON, NC



DOCUMENT AND BENEFIT FRAUD


19 foreign nationals indicted for illegally voting in 2016 elections
Nineteen foreign nationals were charged with unlawfully voting in the 2016 elections Friday, and a U.S. citizen was charged with aiding and abetting an alien to falsely claim U.S. citizenship to register to vote.




08/24/2018

NEWARK, NJ



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE removes El Salvadoran Mara Salvatrucha gang member wanted for criminal conspiracy
Melvin Isaac Martinez-Guevara departed the U.S. and was turned over to El Salvadoran law enforcement authorities where he is wanted for the offense of criminal conspiracy. He unlawfully entered the United States on an unknown date and location without being inspected, admitted, or paroled by an immigration officer.



08/23/2018

CHERRY HILL, NJ



OPERATIONAL


ICE HSI Cherry Hill HERO to be honored by Philadelphia Eagles
The National Football League has partnered with the USO for more than 50 years to honor and celebrate servicemen and women, veterans and their families. For the Super Bowl Champion Eagles, the franchise has recognized local veterans at each home game for the past several years.



08/22/2018

NEW YORK, NY



ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL


ICE removes 2 wanted by Salvadoran authorities to face criminal charges
Melvin Valencia-Menjivar, 38, wanted for aggravated homicide, and Joel Medina-Molina, 33, wanted for aggravated theft and illicit groupings charges, were removed from the United States via an ICE Air Operations Charter flight and transferred into the custody of Salvadoran law enforcement authorities.



08/22/2018

CLEVELAND, OH



CONTRABAND


2 Chinese nationals charged with operating global opioid conspiracy resulting in deaths
Fujing Zheng, aka Gordon Jin, 35, and his father Guanghua Zheng, 62, both of whom reside in Shanghai, China, are charged with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute controlled substances, conspiracy to import controlled substances into the United States, operating a continued criminal enterprise, money laundering and other crimes.




08/21/2018

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX



NARCOTICS


Southeast Texas teen sentenced to 19 years in prison for drive-by shooting, conspiracy to distribute synthetic narcotics
Moises Alvarado, 19, pleaded guilty to the charges May 16, 2018. On Aug. 21, Alvarado was sentenced to 108 months for the synthetic cannabinoid offense, as well as a 120-month consecutive term for discharging a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime. Following his prison term, Alvarado must also serve three years of supervised release.

Pages



https://www.ice.gov/news/all


C.B.P. Media Releases

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


DPS, BP Rescue Two Migrants Abandoned in Desert
Monday, September 24, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseTUCSON, Ariz. – Ajo Station Border Patrol agents and an Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter aircrew rescued two illegal aliens southwest of Tucson Sunday afternoon who had been abandoned by their smuggler. Agents encountered two...
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CBP to Implement a Facial Comparison Technical Demonstration at the Port of San Luis for Pedestrian Travelers
Monday, September 24, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseSAN LUIS, Arizona — U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced today a facial comparison technical demonstration will begin at the San Luis Port of Entry for pedestrian travelers. CBP will deploy a facial comparison system comprised of a camera...
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National Guard Air Asset Deploys Agents to Arrest 4
Monday, September 24, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseTUCSON, Ariz. – A National Guard helicopter aircrew participating in Operation Guardian Support landed near Papago Farms Friday night and deployed a team of Border Patrol agents who found and arrested four illegal aliens hiding in the desert. Agents...
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Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Agents Encounter Unresponsive Child
Monday, September 24, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseGRANJENO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents rescued a child who was experiencing an adverse reaction to spider bites. On Friday afternoon, McAllen agents encountered a large group of family units and unaccompanied children south of Granjeno, Texas....
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Hunters Caught in Vermont Illegally Crossing Missisquoi Bay
Monday, September 24, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseHIGHGATE, Vt. – U.S. Border Patrol Agents from the Swanton Station issued fines to two hunters that illegally entered the United States from Canada via boat. On September 23, Swanton Station agents were contacted by a Franklin County Sheriff's...
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Nogales CBP Officers Seize Meth/Fentanyl
Monday, September 24, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseTUCSON, Ariz. –U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Arizona’s Port of Nogales arrested a woman connected with a failed attempt to smuggle a combination of fentanyl and methamphetamine into the United States on Thursday. Officers removed...
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Border Patrol Seize Heroin Hidden Inside a Vehicle
Monday, September 24, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseNILAND, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Highway 111 immigration checkpoint arrested two U.S. citizens suspected of smuggling heroin hidden inside of a vehicle the morning of Sep. 22, 2018. The incident occurred at...
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Coordinated Effort by Border Patrol Agents and CBP Officers in Vermont leads to Arrest of Wanted Arsonist
Monday, September 24, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseHIGHGATE SPRINGS, Vt. – The combined efforts of U.S. Border Patrol agents and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Vermont resulted in the capture of a suspected arsonist from Massachusetts yesterday. Highgate Springs Port of EntryAt...
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Yuma Border Patrol Agents Arrest Rapist from El Salvador
Monday, September 24, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseYUMA, Ariz. – Border Patrol agents assigned to the area of San Luis, Arizona arrested an El Salvadorian national with a previous conviction of second-degree rape, and is currently a registered sex offender. At approximately 10:22 p.m. on Saturday,...
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Marijuana Smuggler is Caught by CBP Officers
Monday, September 24, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseTUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Arizona’s Port of Sasabe arrested a Mexican national late last week after seizing nearly $68,000 worth of marijuana. Officers seized marijuana that washidden inside of the tires of...
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Yuma Sector Agents Arrest Mexican National for Human Smuggling
Monday, September 24, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseYUMA, Ariz. – Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Interstate 8 Immigration Checkpoint near Wellton arrested a Mexican national adult male smuggling three Mexican nationals late Friday night. Agents at the Immigration checkpointarrested...
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CBP Commissioner Kevin K. McAleenan Travels to the Northern Triangle Countries
Monday, September 24, 2018 | National Media ReleaseWASHINGTON—The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Kevin K. McAleenan, arrived in Guatemala today, the first stop on his trip to the Northern Triangle countries. The Commissioner will be traveling to Honduras and El Salvador...
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Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza, Operaciones Aduaneras Confiscan $1.6 Millones en Metanfetamina en el Puente Internacional de Hidalgo
Monday, September 24, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseHIDALGO, Texas-EE.UU. Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza, Operaciones Aduaneras (OFO por sus siglas en inglés) en el Puente Internacional de Hidalgo arrestó a un hombre de 59 años de Hidalgo, Texas en relación con un intento fallido de contrabando de...
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CBP Field Operations Seizes $1.6 Million in Methamphetamine at Hidalgo International Bridge
Monday, September 24, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseHIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge arrested a 59-year-old man from Hidalgo, Texas in connection with a failed drug smuggling attempt of 114 pounds of...
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CBP Intercepts Harmful Pests from Entering U.S. Borders
Saturday, September 22, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseHOUSTON - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists intercepted viable eggs within Asian Gypsy Moth egg masses aboard a vessel, Aug. 24. Throughout U.S. ports of entry each day, CBP agriculture specialists board international...
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Arrestan conductores de camiones remolcadores por tráfico ilícito de extranjeros
Friday, September 21, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseTUCSON, Arizona - Agentes de la Patrulla Fronteriza asignados a Nogales arrestaron a dos Residentes Permanentes en el puesto de control de inmigración Interestatal 19, quienes intentaron contrabandear a cinco inmigrantes ilegales Admitidos...
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K9 de la Patrulla Fronteriza detecta metanfetamina dentro de un tanque de gasolina
Friday, September 21, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseCAMPO, California - Agentes de la Patrulla Fronteriza de Estados Unidos arrestaron el miércoles a un mexicano en posesión de más de 52 libras de metanfetamina escondidas dentro del tanque de gasolina de su automóvil. Aproximadamente a las 7:30 a.m...
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Border Patrol K-9 Sniffs out Meth in Gas Tank
Friday, September 21, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseCAMPO, Calif. — U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a Mexican national in possession of more than 52 pounds of methamphetamine stuffed inside his car’s gas tank on Wednesday. At approximately 7:30 a.m., agents assigned to the U.S. Border Patrol...
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Border Patrol Agents Arrest a MS-13 Gang Member
Friday, September 21, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseCALEXICO, Calif. – Border Patrol agents assigned to El Centro Sector arrested a known gang member Thursday night. The incident occurred at approximately 10:36 p.m., after agents assigned to the Calexico Station arrested a man near the Calexico Port...
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Border Patrol Agents Seize Meth Hidden Inside a Vehicle
Friday, September 21, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseNILAND, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Highway 111 immigration checkpoint arrested a U.S. citizen suspected of smuggling methamphetamine hidden throughout his vehicle Thursday morning. The incident occurred at...
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CBP Officers Find More than 250 Packages of Methamphetamine and Cocaine Hidden Under Mattress
Friday, September 21, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseCALEXICO, Calif. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Calexico East commercial facility port of entry found more than 256 packages of methamphetamine and cocaine hidden under a mattress in a tractor truck. “Commercial...
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Border Patrol Agents Prevent a Human Smuggling Attempt Involving Two Vehicles
Friday, September 21, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseLAREDO, Texas – Border Patrol agents assigned to the Laredo South Station recently prevented a human smuggling attempt involving two vehicles. Laredo Sector Border Patrol agentsapprehended 12 illegal aliens smuggledin tandem vehicles that had...
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Border Patrol Agents Stop Box Truck Smuggling Attempt
Friday, September 21, 2018 | Local Media ReleaseLAREDO, Texas – Border Patrol agents assigned to the Interstate Highway 35 Border Patrol Checkpoint prevented a human smuggling attempt of 15 illegal aliens. Laredo Sector Border Patrol agentsdiscovered 15 illegal aliens hidden in abox truck at the...
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Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza, Operaciones Aduaneras Logra Incautación Sustancial de Drogas Fuertes Valorizadas en más de $4 Millones en Puente Internacional de Pharr
Friday, September 21, 2018 | Local Media ReleasePHARR, Texas-EE.UU. Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza, Operaciones Aduaneras (OFO por sus siglas en inglés) en el Puente Internacional de Pharr incautó incautado $4.2 millones de metanfetamina y heroína escondida dentro de un tráiler comercial que...
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CBP Field Operations Makes Substantial Hard Narcotics Seizure Worth Over $4 Million at Pharr International Bridge
Friday, September 21, 2018 | Local Media ReleasePHARR, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr International Bridge seized $4.2 million worth of methamphetamine and heroin hidden within a commercial trailer containing fresh produce. “This...
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Pages




https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/media-releases/all