ERO Seattle arrests fentanyl traffickers, sex offenders and other convicted noncitizens
SEATTLE — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Seattle recently arrested eight noncitizens with criminal convictions that range from drug trafficking to sexual assault and removed one noncitizen convicted of attempted murder.
“Every day, officers assigned to ERO Seattle are dutifully engaged in upholding the safety and security of our nation by pursuing those that operate with nefarious intent within our borders,” said ERO Seattle Field Office Director Drew Bostock. “These arrests are the results of those ongoing efforts and are some of our contributions to combating fentanyl trafficking.”
All arrests took place in the assigned ERO Seattle states of Alaska, Washington and Oregon, though the criminal history may include convictions in courts in other parts of the United States. Those arrested include:
- A 27-year-old Mexican national, 37-year-old Mexican national and 30-year-old Mexican national in possession of 30,000 fentanyl pills, 300 grams of fentanyl powder and a kilogram of cocaine. All three, arrested during a multiagency operation investigating drug trafficking organizations in Whatcom County, are currently held at the Northwest ICE Processing Center awaiting removal proceedings.
- A 38-year-old Honduran national with prior drug trafficking related convictions arrested during a multiagency operation as a member and conspirator of a Honduran drug trafficking organization operating in the Portland, Oregon, area. The arrest resulted in the seizure 2,800 M-30 fentanyl pills and 3 ounces of fentanyl powder. He is currently held at the Northwest ICE Processing Center awaiting removal proceedings.
- A 39-year-old Mexican national arrested for driving under the influence and failure to register as a sex offender, with prior convictions of domestic violence, burglary and rape by force/fear. He is currently held at the Northwest ICE Processing Center awaiting reinstatement of a prior order of removal.
- A 27-year-old Mexican national convicted of assault, receiving a sentence of 16 months of imprisonment; unlawful imprisonment, receiving a sentence of 16 months; and two counts of misdemeanor violation of a court order and sentenced to 364 days for each count. He is currently held at the Northwest ICE Processing Center awaiting removal proceedings.
- A 25-year-old Mexican national convicted of charges related to sexual assault receiving a sentence of 30 days in jail. He is currently held at the Northwest ICE Processing Center awaiting removal proceedings.
- A 39-year-old Mexican national arrested for child molestation with prior convictions of possession of a firearm and driving under the influence. He is currently held at the Northwest ICE Processing Center awaiting removal proceedings.
- A 64-year-old Mexican national unlawfully present in the United States removed to Mexico on Aug. 1. He was convicted in California of attempted murder, receiving a sentence of 25 years.
ICE targets and arrests noncitizens who have committed crimes and other individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws. ICE officers, informed by their experience and training, use their discretion as law enforcement officials to focus enforcement resources on people who threaten the homeland. The effort includes noncitizens with a final order of removal. Cases amenable to federal criminal prosecution may be presented to the appropriate U.S. attorney’s office.
In fiscal year 2022, ERO arrested 46,396 noncitizens with criminal histories. This group had 198,498 associated charges and convictions, including 21,531 assault offenses; 8,164 sex and sexual assault offenses; 5,554 weapons offenses; 1,501 homicide-related offenses; and 1,114 kidnapping offenses.
As one of ICE’s three operational directorates, ERO is the principal federal law enforcement authority in charge of domestic immigration enforcement. ERO’s mission is to protect the homeland through the arrest and removal of those who undermine the safety of U.S. communities and the integrity of U.S. immigration laws, and its primary areas of focus are interior enforcement operations, management of the agency’s detained and non-detained populations, and repatriation of noncitizens who have received final orders of removal. ERO’s workforce consists of more than 7,700 law enforcement and non-law enforcement support personnel across 25 domestic field offices and 208 locations nationwide, 30 overseas postings, and multiple temporary duty travel assignments along the border.
Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-347-2423 or completing the online tip form. Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in your community by following us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @EROSeattle.
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