ICE - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
03/28/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/28/2024 16:36
ICE arrests 11 noncitizens with drug-related convictions in Houston area during nationwide operation
HOUSTON - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Houston Field Office apprehended 11 criminal noncitizens in the Houston area who have been convicted of at least one drug trafficking offense or multiple drug possession-related offenses involving methamphetamines, fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, or synthetic drugs, during a nationwide law enforcement effort that ran from March 11 - 26.
Among all 25 ICE ERO offices across the country, the ERO Houston Field Office apprehended the highest percentage of targets during the operation successfully arresting 11 of the 15 targets that were identified in the Houston-area for potential enforcement action.
"Targeted immigration enforcement operations like this one are extremely important to public safety," said ERO Houston Field Office Director Bret Bradford. "By focusing our enforcement efforts on criminal noncitizens who flood our local communities with illicit narcotics without regard for the countless lives they destroy or families they leave ravaged by addiction, death and despair, we uphold the integrity of our nation's immigration laws and eliminate a direct threat to health and safety."
Today's announcement follows a nationwide enforcement effort in February where 275 individuals presenting a threat to public safety were arrested. By using an intelligence-driven enforcement model, ERO makes efficient use of limited resources to promote public safety in communities across the United States.
The arrests made by ERO Houston during the operation included:
- A 43-year-old Mexican national arrested in Houston who has been convicted twice for drug trafficking, twice for possession of a controlled substance, three times for driving without a license, once for robbery and once for driving under the influence.
- A 26-year-old previously removed Mexican national arrested in Tomball, Texas, who has been convicted of drug trafficking and robbery causing bodily injury.
- A 52-year-old previously removed Colombian national arrested in Houston who has been convicted of possession of a controlled substance, cocaine possession and two DUIs.
- A 63-year-old Mexican national arrested in Houston who has been convicted of trafficking cocaine.
- A 38-year-old twice removed Guatemalan national arrested in Houston who has been convicted of cocaine possession, possession of a controlled substance, drug possession and three DUIs.
- A 47-year-old previously removed Mexican national arrested in Houston who has been convicted of possession of a controlled substance, cocaine possession and a DUI.
- A 43-year-old Mexican national arrested in Tomball, Texas, who has been convicted of cocaine trafficking.
- A 38-year-old Palauan national arrested in Corsicana, Texas, who has been convicted twice for marijuana possession and twice for possession of a controlled substance.
- A 42-year-old previously removed Mexican national arrested in Spring, Texas, who has been convicted of cocaine trafficking.
- A 66-year-old previously removed Mexican national, arrested in Houston who has been convicted of possession of cocaine, providing false information to law enforcement, and three DUIs.
- A 50-year-old twice-deported Mexican national, arrested in Houston who has also been voluntarily returned to Mexico twice, and who has been convicted of possession of a controlled substance, cocaine trafficking, illegal entry, and illegal re-entry.
ICE focuses on the arrest of 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 inherent discretion as law enforcement officials to focus enforcement resources on those who pose a threat to national security, public safety, or border security. These efforts include noncitizens with final orders of removal. Cases amenable to federal criminal prosecution may be presented to the appropriate U.S. attorney's office.
In fiscal year (FY) 2023, ICE arrested 7,100 noncitizens with at least one criminal conviction and another 2,427 noncitizens with pending criminal charges in the Houston area of responsibility.
In FY23 across the entire nation, ICE arrested 73,822 noncitizens with criminal histories; this group had 290,178 associated charges and convictions with an average of four per individual. These included 33,209 assaults; 4,390 sex and sexual assaults; 7,520 weapons offenses; 1,713 charges or convictions for homicide; and 1,655 kidnapping offenses.
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 the Houston-area on X formerly known as Twitter @EROHouston.