A six-day enhanced enforcement operation by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and federal law enforcement partners resulted in the arrest of 370 illegal aliens in Massachusetts, with a focus on transnational organized crime, gangs, and serious criminal offenders.
The operation, which ran from March 18 to 23, targeted dangerous individuals and groups, including infamous gangs like MS-13, Tren de Aragua, Trinitarios, and the 18th Street Gang.
“The Commonwealth is a safer place for our residents to live and work because ICE and our federal law enforcement partners arrested hundreds of alien offenders and removed them from the streets of Massachusetts,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde.
Authorities emphasized a “whole-of-government approach” to protect communities from foreign nationals engaged in criminal behavior.
“This week’s enhanced enforcement operations with our partners from the FBI, DEA, ATF, DSS and CBP prove that we are taking a whole of government approach to protecting our communities from foreign nationals involved in transnational gangs, drug traffickers, child predators, violent criminals and dangerous individuals living in New England,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol.
205 of the 370 arrested had significant criminal convictions or charges, while six were overseas fugitives wanted for serious crimes such as murder, drug trafficking, organized crime, and money laundering.
Notable arrests included those accused or convicted of:
- Drug trafficking and distribution
- Rape and indecent assault of minors
- Manslaughter and homicide
- Firearms trafficking
- Armed robbery
- Membership in criminal organizations
Law enforcement officers confiscated large amounts of narcotics, including methamphetamines, fentanyl, and cocaine, as well as firearms and ammunition.
