FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
CONTACT: |
May 31, 2007 |
El Paso: (915) 534-6018 / 6779
Supervisory Deputy Gerardo Payan
Assistant Chief Michael Troyanski
www.usmarshals.gov/district/tx-w/index.html |
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West Texas HIDTA Fugitive Task Force
led by the U.S. Marshals Service Concludes a Large Scale,
Multi-jurisdictional Fugitive Operation in El Paso |
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Beginning early on (May 14 – 25, 2007)
Monday morning and concluding on Friday, the West Texas HIDTA
fugitive task force led by the U.S. Marshals Service concluded a
large scale, multi-jurisdictional fugitive operation in El Paso. The
operation targeted area fugitives wanted for drug offenses and
crimes of violence.
With the assistance of law enforcement agencies throughout the
metropolitan area including El Paso Police and Sheriff’s Department,
Texas DPS, OIG, and TABC, El Paso Constables, Border Patrol, ICE,
ATF, USDA, and USACIDC agents, teams fanned throughout the metro
area in search of fugitives. Following up on leads and with the
assistance of tips from the community, the task force was able to
arrest 315 wanted persons and cleared 538 warrants. Subjects
arrested include 95 sought for drug related offenses, 14 for sex
crimes, and a number of others for weapon offenses, burglary,
larceny, theft, and assaults.
United States Marshal for the Western District of Texas, LaFayette
Collins, stated, “We measure our task forces success one case at a
time. Any time we can bring a fugitive to justice and help to
make the community safer, we fulfill our mission”.
These types of operations are conducted routinely throughout the
year by the full time task force in addition to their daily duties
tracking down the areas most dangerous fugitives. The task force,
sponsored by West Texas HIDTA, brings together the U.S. Marshals
Service, Border Patrol, ICE, DEA, El Paso County Sheriff’s
Department, Texas Office of Inspector General, El Paso Police
Department, and other agencies. Operating since 1992, the task force
has cleared over 14,000 federal, state, and local fugitive warrants
in the El Paso area. |
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