Operation Caribbean Resilience reaps success

CMC - The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) agency says it has arrested more than 220 criminals and seized more than 142 illegal arms in a four-month enforcement operation dubbed "Caribbean Resilience”.



ICE said Operation Caribbean Resilience, a joint initiative that includes the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) and the San Juan Police Department (SJPD), was in response to the unprecedented number of violent crimes committed here last year.



In a statement recently, ICE said the operation, which began in January, has netted hundreds of arrests and seizures of illegal arms as well as narcotics.



“The results of this operation show the commitment to rid our communities of individuals involved in criminal activity,” said Angel Melendez, acting special agent in charge of the US Homeland Security Department’s San Juan office.



Melendez said the initiative had resulted in a drastic reduction in crime in various hot beds, including the entire region of Carolina, Puerto Rico, which covers the Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport.



Additionally, more than 73 criminal arrests had been made and 48 illegal weapons, 1,747 rounds of ammunition, and more than US$30,000 in cash seized.



ICE did not give the nationalities of those detained in the sweep.