ERO Boston arrests Dominican national accused of drug distribution with 4 prior removals

DORCHESTER, Mass. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston arrested Santo Raul Ramirez-Lara, a 43-year-old unlawfully present Dominican national with four prior removals from the U.S., on Jan. 6. Ramirez unlawfully entered the U.S. at least five times and has six pending criminal cases in Massachusetts.

“Mr. Ramirez has been accused of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin, possession of Class A drugs, identity fraud and other crimes,” said ERO Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “He’s also been removed from the U.S. to the Dominican Republic four times since 2011. ERO Boston lodged an immigration detainer against him while the Dorchester District Court had him in custody, which they honored. Officials at the Dorchester District Court chose to prioritize public safety, cooperating with our officers to keep someone accused of selling poison in our communities off the streets.”

Ramirez unlawfully entered the U.S. on March 7, 2002, and U.S. Border Patrol officials served him with a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge. He was removed April 8, 2011.

He unlawfully reentered the country at an unknown location, on an unknown date. U.S. Border Patrol again encountered him on July 1, 2011, and he was removed Sept. 14.

Ramirez again unlawfully reentered the country at an unknown location, on an unknown date. ERO Boston encountered him Oct. 21, 2013, and officials issued him a notice of intent/decision to reinstate prior order. He was removed to the Dominican Republic Dec. 3.

He unlawfully reentered the country for the fourth time at an unknown location, on an unknown date. U.S. Border Patrol encountered him March 22, 2016, and served him with a notice of intent/decision to reinstate prior order. He was removed to the Dominican Republic May 6.

Ramirez unlawfully reentered the U.S. at an unknown location, on an unknown date. ERO Boston lodged an immigration detainer against him while he was in the Dorchester District Court’s custody. Officials there notified ERO officials that Ramirez would be released into ICE custody following his arraignment Jan. 6, 2025. Because the court honored ICE’s detainer request, ERO Boston officers arrested him in the court’s safe, controlled facility.

Ramirez will remain in ICE custody pending his fifth removal from the U.S. to the Dominican Republic.

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.

You 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.