ICE arrests 370 illegal immigrants in Massachusetts operation targeting violent gangs

BOSTON (TNND) — U.S. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement and law enforcement officers arrested 370 individuals dubbed "illegal aliens" in Massachusetts during a six-day targeted operation aimed at taking down transnational organized crime and violent gangs, including MS-13, Tren de Aragua, and the 18th Street Gang.

ICE officials said the operation, which took place from March 18 to March 23, focused on offenders with criminal backgrounds and resulted in the seizure of illegal drugs, firearms and the arrest of fugitives facing serious charges like murder and money laundering.

A large portion of those arrested - 205 individuals - had prior criminal convictions or were facing charges for serious offenses, including violent crimes, drug trafficking and organized criminal activities. Six of those detained were allegedly foreign fugitives wanted for murder, drug trafficking, money laundering, and involvement in organized crime.

The operation also resulted in a haul of illicit drugs and firearms. Officials stated that approximately 44 kilograms of methamphetamines, 5 kilograms of fentanyl, and 1.2 kilograms of cocaine. In addition to these drugs, officers confiscated three firearms along with ammunition, all of which had been in the possession of the arrested suspects.

Officials said that many of the arrests were made after local jurisdictions refused to comply with ICE detainer requests. These jurisdictions had previously released several offenders from custody despite ICE's request to hold them for deportation proceedings, stated the news release from ICE.

Patricia H. Hyde, acting Field Office Director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston, highlighted the success of the operation, emphasizing its positive impact on public safety.

"The Commonwealth is a safer place for our residents to live and work because ICE and our federal law enforcement partners arrested hundreds of alien offenders and removed them from the streets of Massachusetts,” Hyde said in a statement. “Throughout this enhanced enforcement operation, we targeted the most dangerous alien offenders in some of the most crime-infested neighborhoods in and around Boston. Our efforts resulted in 370 arrests throughout the commonwealth. ICE and our federal law enforcement partners are committed to protecting the homeland through the eradication of transnational criminal organizations, dismantling dangerous criminal gangs preying on the American public, locating and arresting criminal alien offenders, and making our communities a safer place to live."

Those arrested during the operation include:

• A Dominican who allegedly illegally re-entered the U.S. after removal was charged with multiple drug distribution crimes. They were arrested in Boston.
• A Dominican who allegedly illegally re-entered the U.S. after removal was charged with trafficking fentanyl. They were arrested in Boston.
• A Chilean citizen convicted of four counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 years old was arrested in Marlborough.
• A Brazilian charged with manslaughter, homicide by a motor vehicle, homicide while under the influence of liquor, breaking and entering in the nighttime with intent to commit a crime, and larceny was arrested in Worcester.
• A Honduran who allegedly illegally re-entered the U.S. after removal was convicted of rape of a child, assault and battery of a person over 14, and failure to register as a sex offender was arrested in Salem.
• A Brazilian wanted for murder and convicted for firearms trafficking in his native country, was arrested in Milford.
• A Brazilian wanted for homicide in his home country was arrested in Lowell.
• A Russian charged with unlawful possession of ammunition and wanted in his native country for armed robbery and membership in a criminal organization was arrested in Medford.
• A Dominican wanted for homicide in his native country, was arrested in Dorchester.
• A Brazilian wanted in his native county for failure to serve a sentence after his convictions for homicide and illegal possession of a firearm arrested in Marlborough.
• A Salvadoran previously deported from the U.S. and documented 18th Street gang member convicted of assault and battery and sentenced to two and a half years committed arrested in Wakefield.
• A Guatemalan charged with rape and convicted of enticing a minor under the age of 16, released by the New Bedford District Court without the ICE detainer being honored, was arrested in New Bedford.
• A Jamaican previously deported from the U.S. convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, armed robbery, possession of a firearm, and assault was arrested in Pittsfield.
• A Brazilian wanted in his native country for drug trafficking, money laundering, and membership in a criminal organization was arrested in West Yarmouth.

Boston offices of the FBI, DEA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, US Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms, U.S. Marshals Service and DSS all participated in the joint operation.