ICE deports Portuguese man convicted of narco-terrorism
ST. PAUL, Minn — A 29-year-old Portuguese man convicted of narco-terrorism was deported to Portugal Dec. 1 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers assigned to the St. Paul, Minnesota, Field Office.
Malam Mane Sanha was sentenced May 22 to 36 months imprisonment following a guilty plea for conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism; conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States; conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, specifically the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC); and conspiracy to acquire and transfer anti-aircraft missiles. Sanha was credited for prison time he served during his criminal proceedings.
Sanha was paroled into the United States April 4, 2013, to face criminal charges. On Oct. 6, ERO issued Sanha a notice and order of expedited removal as an inadmissible alien.
“ERO continues to enhance public safety by removing individuals like Sanha,” said Scott Baniecke field office director for ERO in St. Paul. “We commend the men and women of ERO, St. Paul’s Office of Chief Counsel, ICE’s National Security Law Section and the Department of Justice’s prosecution team for a job well done.”
ERO coordinates the removal of criminals, foreign fugitives and others ordered deported. Last year alone, ERO removed 315,943 individuals from the United States. ICE is focused on smart and effective immigration enforcement that prioritizes its resources based on those who pose the biggest threat to national security, border security and public safety. ICE’s civil enforcement efforts are based on priorities set by the Secretary of Homeland Security in November 2014.
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