ERO Newark arrests fugitive wanted in Peru for drug trafficking

NEWARK, N.J. - Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark arrested a Peruvian national Aug. 30 who is wanted in Peru for drug trafficking.

"This is another case where ERO Newark officers' diligent efforts combined with law enforcement interagency cooperation resulted in the capture of an international fugitive," said ERO Newark Field Office Director John Tsoukaris. "We would like to thank the United States Border Patrol for their assistance in this case."

The Peruvian national unlawfully entered the United States May 23, 2002, without being inspected, admitted, or paroled by an immigration officer. The United States Border Patrol served the individual with a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge and released the individual from custody.

Peruvian authorities issued an arrest warrant for the Peruvian national Dec 14, 2018, for the offense of illicit drug trafficking - acquisition, preparation, possession, transportation of hydrochloride. USBP informed ERO Newark June 12 of the warrant for the Peruvian national on the drug charges.

ERO Newark officers arrested the Peruvian national Aug. 30, and the noncitizen will remain detained in ICE custody pending removal proceedings before an immigration judge.

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. The Executive Office for Immigration Review 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. 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.

As one of ICE's three operational directorates, ERO is 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 crime and suspicious activity by calling 866-347-2423 or completing the online tip form.

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