ICE agents arrested 243 illegal aliens across the Denver metro area during a nine-day operation targeting violent criminals and known gang affiliates. The sweep, which ended July 20, netted suspects linked to the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang, the Los Zetas cartel, and other transnational criminal organizations. Some of those arrested have serious criminal records, including charges for murder, child sex assault, drug trafficking, and human trafficking.
According to ICE officials, the operation involved coordination among multiple federal law enforcement agencies. Among those arrested, 50 had outstanding orders of removal and will face imminent deportation. The arrested aliens hailed from 17 countries, including Mexico, Venezuela, Jordan, Algeria, Ethiopia, Romania, and China.
Notable individuals apprehended include:
- Rigoberto Carranza-Mendez, a Mexican national previously convicted of murder and DUI, already deported once.
- Johnondris Daniel Rodriguez, a Venezuelan citizen and suspected member of the Tren de Aragua gang.
- Nicolas Diaz-Hernandez, a Mexican national with convictions for drug trafficking and confirmed ties to Los Zetas.
- Blanca Ochoa Tello, also from Mexico, was arrested with 20,000 fentanyl pills in her vehicle.
- Javier Ulises Sanchez-Andazola, a Mexican citizen convicted of child sexual assault and DUI.
ICE’s Denver Enforcement and Removal Office led the operation with assistance from ERO Dallas, HSI Denver, CBP, DEA, ATF, FBI, U.S. Marshals, DHS Intelligence and Analysis, and the IRS.
Robert Guadian, Field Operations Director for ICE in Denver, stated that many of these criminals had previously been released into the community due to Colorado’s sanctuary policies. “Many of the criminal aliens ICE arrested during this operation had been previously released into the Denver metro area by local county jails — directly into the community — because of Colorado’s sanctuary laws that prevent Sheriffs from cooperating with ICE,” Guadian said.
The operation underscores the dangers posed by sanctuary policies that shield violent offenders from federal immigration enforcement, placing local communities at risk.
