113 'Criminal Targets' Busted In NJ Immigration And Customs Roundup, Feds Say

NEWARK, NJ — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 113 "criminal targets" during a four-day operation in New Jersey, according to federal officials. ICE made the arrests from June 5 through 9 as part of the agency’s ongoing public safety and national security efforts, according to a news release.

The operation was supported by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s New Jersey Field Office, the New Jersey State Parole Office and ICE Homeland Security Investigations, according to the ICE release.

All of the targets in this operation were "criminal in nature," according to the news release. Ninety-three percent of those that were arrested were convicted criminals, and 87 percent of them had prior felony convictions.

“The continued results of our Fugitive Operations officers and their law enforcement partners underscore ICE’s ongoing and steady commitment to public safety,” said John Tsoukaris, field office director of ERO Newark.

The individuals arrested throughout New Jersey were nationals of Bangladesh, Central African Republic, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Iraq, Ireland, Jamaica, Jordan, Korea, Latvia, Liberia, Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Peru, Poland, Slovakia, Trinidad and Uruguay.

Those arrested range from age 18 to 74 years old, and all were previously convicted of a variety of offenses, authorities said. Some of the convictions included sexual assault on a minor, child abuse, possession of narcotics, distribution of narcotics, robbery, trespassing, damage to property, DUI, crimes against person, fraud, sex offense against a child/fondling, threaten to kill and sexual exploitation of a minor.

The offenses also included domestic violence, battery, theft of us government property, possession of a weapon, illegal use of credit cards, burglary, larceny, aggravated assault and illegal reentry.

“As part of this operation, we continue focus on the arrest of individuals who are criminal and are a threat to public safety and national security. Because of the tireless efforts of these professional officers, there are 113 fewer criminals in our communities,” Tsoukaris added.

The State Parole Board said it was "pleased" to have been able to take part in this "very successful fugitive" operation.

"Cooperative efforts with other state and federal agencies serve as a force multiplier resulting in a significant public safety benefit. We are proud of the efforts of our parole officers and all that took part in the operation.” said James T. Plousis, chairman of the NJ State Parole Board.

“U.S. Customs and Border Protection is extremely proud to have assisted in this operation,” said Leon Hayward, acting director of the New York Field Office. “It is through collaborative efforts, such as the one leading to today’s arrests, that law enforcement agencies can combat illegal acts and apprehend criminals who pose a threat to the Homeland.”

Among those arrested during this operation include:

• A Iraqi citizen convicted of possession of narcotics
• A Honduran citizen wanted by Honduras for the offense of double Homicide
• A Latvian citizen convicted of heroin sale
• A El Salvador citizen convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor
• A Ecuadorian citizen convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor
• A Jordanian citizen convicted of synthetic narcotic possession
• A Dominican citizen convicted of cocaine sale
• A Bangladesh citizen convicted of aggravated assault with a weapon

Patch file photo