Major Initiatives

ICE Storm

Phoenix, Arizona is under siege by criminal smuggling organizations. Their police department reports a surge in home invasions and alien-related violent crimes. Local media sources report escalating smuggling in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

ICE Response... Operation ICE Storm

Operational goals are to eliminate violent crime in Phoenix through the identification and dismantling of smuggling organizations (human/drug/currency/weapons), prosecution of smugglers, seizure of assets (depriving criminals of financial infrastructure), and developing a working partnership with U.S. and Mexican intelligence and enforcement agencies.

The methodology is to bring to bear the broad statutory authorities and investigative expertise of ICE in a task force configuration to include internal and external components.

Operational Results:

• 335 defendants
• Federal violations include human smuggling, money-laundering, kidnapping/hostage-taking, narcotics and weapons
• 143 weapons seized
• $5.5 million in currency seized.

Regional Impact, Colorado:

Nov. 2002:   A rollover accident resulted in the death of 4 undocumented aliens, who had been in transit from Phoenix, AZ, where they were staged.

Feb. 2003:   A rollover accident resulted in the death of 1 undocumented alien. The smuggled group was ejected from the van due to the removal of the seats. The van was in transit from Phoenix, AZ where the group had been staged.

July 2003:   A rollover accident resulted in the injury of 9 undocumented aliens, 4 of which were minors. The group was in transit from Phoenix, AZ, where they were staged.

Regional Impact, Texas:

Sept. 2003: A rollover accident resulted in the death of the driver and a 6-year-old undocumented alien. The group was in transit from Chandler, AZ where they were staged.

Accomplishments:

ICE Agents and Phoenix Police Officers rescued ten undocumented aliens that had been held hostage. During negotiations, smugglers threatened to rape a 9-year old child and sever the hands and feet of a smuggled alien. Smugglers also raped three women. Five defendants were prosecuted for kidnapping, hostage taking, and human smuggling violations.

54 undocumented aliens, 4 assault rifles and 3 handguns were recovered from an alien harboring site in Phoenix.

One of three undocumented aliens rescued by ICE Agents. The victims were held hostage, beaten, and tortured by smugglers for several days.