ERO Newark arrests 8 noncitizens with drug-related convictions during nationwide law enforcement effort

NEWARK, N.J. — Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Newark officers apprehended eight unlawfully present noncitizens with convictions for drug trafficking or multiple drug possession related offenses involving fentanyl, cocaine, heroin or synthetic drugs during a nationwide law enforcement effort between March 11 and March 26.

“This operation emphasizes the committed efforts of ERO Newark officers to apprehend criminal noncitizens who pose a danger to our communities,” said ERO Newark Field Office Director John Tsoukaris. “We remain dedicated to public safety and enforcement of immigration laws.”

Those arrested include:

• A 29-year-old Costa Rican citizen in Landing who was convicted by the Superior Court of Morristown of two counts of felony manufacturing/distribution of heroin. He will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
• A 47-year-old Dominican citizen in Paterson who was convicted by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of felony conspiracy to distribute 5 or more kilograms of cocaine and distribution of cocaine. ICE ERO will present this case to the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey for prosecution for reentry of a removed noncitizen. This noncitizen will remain in ICE custody pending acceptance for prosecution.
• A 23-year-old Dominican citizen in Trenton who was convicted by the Mercer County Superior Court in Trenton of felony manufacturing and distribution of heroin and cocaine. He will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.

By using an intelligence-driven enforcement model, ERO makes efficient use of limited resources to promote public safety in communities across the United States.

ICE focuses on arresting noncitizens who have committed crimes and other individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws. ERO officers, informed by their experience and training, use their inherent discretion as law enforcement officials to focus enforcement resources on those who pose a threat to national security, public safety or border security. These efforts include noncitizens with final orders of removal. Cases amenable to federal criminal prosecution may be presented to the appropriate U.S. attorney’s office.

Noncitizens placed into removal proceedings receive their legal due process from federal immigration judges in the immigration courts, which are administered by the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). EOIR is an agency within the U.S. Department of Justice and is separate from the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Immigration judges in these courts make decisions based on the merits of each individual case. ICE officers carry out the removal decisions made by the federal immigration judges.

In fiscal year 2023, ERO arrested 73,822 noncitizens with criminal histories; this group had 290,178 associated charges and convictions with an average of four per individual. These included 33,209 assaults; 4,390 sex and sexual assaults; 7,520 weapons offenses; 1,713 charges or convictions for homicide; and 1,655 kidnapping offenses.

Members of the public can report crime and suspicious activity by calling 866-347-2423 or completing the online tip form. Learn more about ERO Newark’s mission to preserve public safety on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ERONewark.