ICE deports individual to Honduras to face drug trafficking charges

NEWARK, N.J. – A Honduran national, wanted on drug trafficking charges in his home country, was deported Sept. 28 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

He was escorted by ERO officers via an ICE Air Operations charter and turned over to Honduran law enforcement authorities upon arrival in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

Hugo Erazo-Argueta, 30, was wanted in Honduras on drug trafficking charges. He was previously removed from the United States Oct. 12, 2006, and illegally reentered the country. He was subsequently encountered by local police Aug. 13, 2012, in Wall Township, N.J., during a routine traffic stop. After being turned over to ICE for removal, a records check revealed that he was the subject of an Interpol notice.

"Individuals like Erazo-Argueta who try to hide in the United States to avoid criminal charges in their home country are a high priority for ICE," said John Tsoukaris, field office director for ERO Newark. "Every day ICE is protecting public safety by removing international fugitives and convicted criminals from the U.S."

Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed more than 455 foreign fugitives from the United States who were being sought in their native countries for serious crimes, including kidnapping, rape and murder. ERO works with ICE's Office of International Affairs (OIA), foreign consular offices in the United States, and Interpol to identify foreign fugitives illegally present in the country.

This removal was coordinated with ICE Homeland Security Investigations, OIA, the Consulate General of Honduras, ICE's Office of Congressional Relations and the U.S. National Central Bureau of Interpol.