The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona has reportedly charged 177 individuals with immigration-related offenses during an enforcement operation that lasted from last Saturday until yesterday. The sweep included cases against individuals for unlawfully reentering and entering the United States, as well as for smuggling activities within the district, as per a recent announcement by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
A range of federal agencies supported the efforts, including ICE ERO, HSI, the U.S. Border Patrol, and others. Among the cases of interest highlighted by the U.S. Attorney's Office was that of Heriberto Medina, charged with transporting an illegal alien for profit after being intercepted at the Douglas Port of Entry. While inspecting his vehicle, officers uncovered a hidden individual behind a speaker box in the trunk, revealed in a statement obtained by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona.
Another notable case involved one Carlos Barrera-Aguilar, charged with illegal re-entry after being picked up near Wellton. Having been previously deported three times and holding a prior felony, Barrera-Aguilar's arrest underscores the focal intent of these operations to target repeat and criminal offenders, reportedly part of the broader "Operation Take Back America." According to the allegations, not even gazing upon the deserts of Arizona, Juan Carlos Morales-Chavez found himself saddled with a charge for alien possession of a firearm after law enforcement discovered he was administratively violating immigration laws with a handgun in tow.
This collection of enforcement actions falls under a larger initiative dubbed "Operation Take Back America," which aims to stem illegal immigration, dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and safeguard communities from violent crime. The concerted effort appears to synchronize the resources from the Department's OCDETFs and PSN, with a clear focus on streamlining their collaborative power in a push for heightened security.
