El Paso Standard

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies, conducted a multi-agency operation targeting transnational criminal organizations, violent offenders, sex offenders, and repeat immigration violators. The operation took place from March 4 to 6 and resulted in the arrest of 44 individuals involved in illegal activities across six Central Valley counties.

The apprehended individuals included members of international gangs engaged in drug trafficking, human smuggling, and violent crimes. ICE also detained convicted sex offenders who had unlawfully re-entered the United States and individuals facing federal charges related to immigration violations.

“Operations like this underscore our commitment to disrupting criminal networks that threaten public safety,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Tatum King. “By leveraging federal partnerships and intelligence-driven investigations, we continue to dismantle transnational criminal organizations and remove dangerous offenders from our communities.”

ICE led the initiative alongside the FBI, DEA, ATF, and U.S. Marshals Service. The U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of California is providing prosecutorial support for the operation. Due to California Senate Bill 54—which limits cooperation between local agencies and federal immigration authorities—local and state law enforcement agencies did not participate.

Those arrested are undergoing processing for federal prosecution or removal proceedings where necessary. ICE emphasizes its ongoing commitment to working with federal partners to combat organized crime and ensure community safety.

For further details, visit www.ice.gov or follow @HSISanFrancisco on social media.