ICE removes criminal alien wanted for drug trafficking in Costa Rica

SEATTLE – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed Josseth Santos-Fonseca, 30, a citizen of Costa Rica, to his home country where he is wanted by law enforcement authorities for drug trafficking.

Santos entered the U.S. near Laredo, Texas, without inspection or admission by an immigration official. The U.S. Border Patrol apprehended Santos on Nov. 8, 2018. While continuing with immigration proceedings, ICE received notification from Costa Rican authorities of Santos conviction related to drug smuggling. Once an immigration judge ordered Santos removed, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Seattle removed Santos to Costa Rica without incident.

“ERO Seattle continues to work with our international partners to ensure criminal aliens are unable to find refuge in the U.S. from justice in their home country,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Seattle Interim Field Office Director Cammilla H. Wamsley. “Drug trafficking is a serious offense, and the risk it presents will always be a motivator for our officers to locate and arrest those wanted in their country of origin.”

Members of the public who have information about foreign fugitives are urged to contact ICE by calling the ICE Tip Line at 1 (866) 347-2423 or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199. They can also file a tip online by completing ICE’s online tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in your community on X at @EROSeattle.