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February 10, 2023New Orleans, LA, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ERO New Orleans arrests 2 as part of a nationwide operation

Criminal offenses include drug trafficking and possession

NEW ORLEANS — Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) New Orleans officers apprehended two unlawfully present noncitizens convicted of drug trafficking or possession offenses involving methamphetamine, fentanyl and heroin during a nationwide enforcement effort Jan. 23 through Feb. 6.

“Our local communities are safer today because of the hard work of our ERO officers,” said New Orleans Field Office Director Mellissa Harper. “We will continue to focus on keeping criminal non-citizens off our streets.”

Those arrested include the following:

  • A 37-year-old citizen of Honduras in Nashville, Tennessee, convicted by the Criminal Court in Nashville of possession with intent to distribute heroin in March 2009.
  • A 25-year-old citizen of Mexico in Morristown, Tennessee, convicted by the Criminal Court in Hamblen County of possession with intent to deliver a Schedule 1 narcotic in February 2022.

ICE targets and arrests 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 discretion inherent as law enforcement officials to focus enforcement resources on people who threaten the homeland. The effort includes noncitizens with a final order of removal. Cases amenable to federal criminal prosecution may be presented to the appropriate U.S. attorney’s office.

In fiscal year 2022, ERO arrested 46,396 noncitizens with criminal histories; this group had 198,498 associated charges and convictions. These included 21,531 assault offenses; 8,164 sex and sexual assault offenses; 5,554 weapons offenses; 1,501 homicide-related offenses; and 1,114 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 your community on Twitter @ERONewOrleans. The ERO New Orleans area of responsibility encompasses Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas.

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