ERO Washington, D.C. arrests 5 noncitizens with drug-related convictions during nationwide law enforcement effort

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Deportation officers from Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Washington, D.C. apprehended five unlawfully present noncitizens convicted of drug offenses as part of a nationwide law enforcement operation that ran from March 11 through March 26. During the nationwide operation, ERO deportation officers apprehended 216 unlawfully present noncitizens who have been convicted of drug trafficking or multiple drug possession related offenses involving methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, heroin or synthetic drugs.

“These five noncitizens were all convicted of various drug charges,” said ERO Washington, D.C. Field Office Director Liana Castano. “Some were attempting to distribute their poison to members of our Washington, D.C. area and Virginia communities. ERO Washington, D.C. will continue to prioritize public safety by aggressively apprehending and removing such criminals from our neighborhoods.”

The announcement follows a nationwide enforcement effort in February where 275 individuals presenting threats 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 ERO Washington, D.C. apprehensions included the following:

• Deportation officers from ERO Washington, D.C.’s Criminal Apprehension Program arrested a 25-year-old Colombian national March 11 in Richmond, Virginia. The Henrico County Circuit Court in Henrico convicted him in January 2024 of possession of controlled substance: cocaine. He will remain in ERO custody pending the outcome of his removal proceedings.
• Deportation officers from ERO Washington, D.C.’s Mobile Criminal Apprehension Team arrested a 37-year-old Gambian national March 15 in Washington, D.C. The Circuit Court for Prince George County, Maryland, convicted him in April 2014 of felony possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and sentenced him to five years in prison. He will remain in ERO custody pending the outcome of his removal proceedings.
• Deportation officers from ERO Washington, D.C.’s Fugitive Operations Team arrested a 45-year-old Honduran national March 19 in Fairfax, Virginia. The Fairfax County Circuit Court convicted the Honduran noncitizen in August 2023 of felony possession of Schedule I or II drugs. He will remain in ERO custody pending his removal from the United States.
• Deportation officers with ERO Washington, D.C.’s Fugitive Operations Team arrested a 30-year-old Mexican national March 20 in Manassas, Virginia. The Fairfax County Circuit Court convicted him in January 2023 of felony possession of Schedule I or II drugs. He will remain in ERO custody pending the outcome of his removal proceedings.
• Deportation officers from ERO Washington, D.C.’s Criminal Apprehension Program arrested a 43-year-old Pakistani national March 21 in Lynchburg, Virginia. The Rockingham County Circuit Court convicted him in January 2023 of two counts of felony distribution of a controlled substance to wit: methamphetamine, and sentenced him to 10 years in prison for each count. He will remain in ICE custody pending the outcome of his removal proceedings.

By using an intelligence-driven enforcement model, ERO Washington, D.C. makes efficient use of limited resources to promote public safety in communities throughout Washington, D.C. and Virginia.

All individuals apprehended will remain in ERO custody pending their removal from the United States or the outcome of their removal proceedings.

Noncitizens placed into removal proceedings receive their legal due process from federal immigration judges in the immigration courts, which are administered by the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). EOIR is an agency within the U.S. Department of Justice and is separate from the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Immigration judges in these courts make decisions based on the merits of each individual case. ICE officers carry out the removal decisions made by the federal immigration judges.

ICE focuses on arresting 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 2023, ERO 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-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in your community on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @EROWashington.