ICE returns Lebanese man convicted on terrorism-related charges
MIAMI – A Lebanese national convicted in New York on terrorism-related charges was removed Wednesday by officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Miami.
Maroun Sleiman Saade, 64, departed Miami International Airport Wednesday night, escorted by ERO officers and arrived Thursday at Beirut Hariri International Airport.
On Nov. 5, 2014, the U. S. District Court, for the Southern District of New York convicted Saade of conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine and heroin into the U.S., aiding and abetting material support to foreign terrorist organization and conspiracy to acquire/transfer anti-aircraft missiles. Saade was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison.
“Returning individuals like Saade who engage in violating laws critical to the protection of our national security is a priority for our agency,” said Marc J. Moore, field office director for ERO in Miami. “ICE prioritizes the arrest and removal of convicted criminal aliens. As a result, our communities are safer and more secure.”
ICE ERO Miami coordinated the removal of Saade with the ICE Attaché office in Casablanca, Morocco.
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