I.C.E. News Release

December 8, 2010

Jackson, WY

ICE and local law enforcement arrest 9 in Wyoming during drug operation

JACKSON, Wyo. - Nine people were arrested on Tuesday following the execution of three federal search warrants related to an ongoing local narcotics investigation. The investigation and arrests were led by special agents with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Participating in the investigation and arrests were the following agencies: the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Teton County Sheriff's Office, the Jackson Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Two of those arrested will be presented for prosecution by the U.S. Attorney's Office; four were arrested on state charges, and three people were administratively arrested for immigration violations. The arrests began about 7 a.m. and occurred at residences without incident. The eight men and one woman arrested range in age from 26 to 49 years old.

During the week of Nov. 15, four aliens from Mexico and one U.S. citizen were indicted in the District of Wyoming on cocaine-related and other charges. Three of those aliens are currently in federal custody. The two others indicted remain at large.

"Our ICE HSI special agents are most effective when we join forces with our fellow law enforcement officers as we're doing in this case," said David M. Marwell, acting special agent in charge of the ICE HSI office in Denver. "Working together we can better combat crime, and help make our communities safer." Marwell oversees a four-state area, which includes: Wyoming, Colorado, Montana and Utah.

This is an ongoing investigation.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.

ICE is a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit www.ICE.gov. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423.

U.S. Dept of Homeland Security

http://www.ice.gov/news/releases/1012/101208jackson.htm