Cuban National Deported to Spain for Drug Trafficking

A Cuban national, wanted on drug trafficking charges in Spain, was deported and turned over to Spanish officials May 12. He was escorted to Madrid Airport by officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), and turned over to Spanish law enforcement authorities upon arrival.

Pedro Manuel Ortega-Fouz, 38, who also holds permanent residency in Spain, was wanted in Spain for drug trafficking in connection with an international drug trafficking ring. He was ordered removed from the U.S. in 2009.

"Ortega-Fouz's removal to Spain again demonstrates ERO's commitment to removing criminal aliens from the United States," said John Tsoukaris, field office director for ERO Newark. "ERO works closely with our local and international law enforcement partners to identify, locate and deport aliens who are wanted in their home countries."

Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed more than 335 foreign fugitives from the United States who were being sought in their native countries for serious crimes, including kidnapping, rape and murder. ERO works with ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Office of International Affairs, foreign consular offices in the United States, and Interpol to identify foreign fugitives illegally present in the country.

The removal was coordinated with HSI's Office of International Affairs, Consulate General of Spain, U.S. Department of Justice, ICE's Office of Congressional Relations and the U.S. National Central Bureau of Interpol.