ERO Boston arrests Brazilian national wanted for drug trafficking in Brazil

SOMERVILLE, Mass. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston arrested a 38-year-old Brazilian citizen charged with drug trafficking crimes in his home country Nov. 19. The noncitizen, whose name is being withheld by ICE in accordance with privacy restrictions pending his removal from the United States, is currently in ERO custody.

“This noncitizen is accused of serious crimes in Brazil,” said ERO Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “Public safety is ERO Boston’s primary mission, and our officers are committed to removing potentially dangerous noncitizens from our streets.”

The noncitizen entered the United States near El Paso, Texas, June 25, 2022, without authorization from an immigration official. He was accused of drug trafficking and drug trafficking association in Brazil.

“ERO Boston is always ready to work with our law enforcement partners — internationally and here at home,” said Hyde. “Fortunately, we located this noncitizen quickly and arrested him without incident, and he will now face justice in his home country.”

A judge with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, a part of the Department of Justice, ordered the noncitizen to be removed from the United States Jan. 8. He appealed that decision with the Board of Immigration Appeals, and his appeal was dismissed. A judge issued a final order of removal June 5, and ERO officers arrested him in Somerville. He will remain in ERO custody pending immigration proceedings.

ERO is one of ICE’s three operational directorates and the principal federal law enforcement authority in charge of domestic immigration enforcement. ERO’s mission is to protect the homeland through the arrest and removal of those who undermine the safety of U.S. communities and the integrity of U.S. immigration laws, and its primary areas of focus are interior enforcement operations, management of the agency’s detained and non-detained populations, and repatriation of noncitizens who have received final orders of removal. ERO’s workforce consists of more than 7,700 law enforcement and non-law enforcement support personnel across 25 domestic field offices and 208 locations nationwide, 30 overseas postings, and multiple temporary duty travel assignments along the border.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our New England communities on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @EROBoston.