News Releases

ICE joins INTERPOL Washington in a multi-national effort to locate criminals in the United States

WASHINGTON - INTERPOL Washington Director Timothy A. Williams announced a multi-international effort to locate and arrest criminal suspects believed to be in hiding in the United States and throughout Western Hemisphere countries. INTERPOL Washington is partnering with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE/ERO) for this initiative.

The initiative, called "Operation FAR AWAY," is an intelligence-driven operation designed to target, locate and arrest criminal aliens believed to be in hiding in the United States and in other Western Hemisphere countries. "Operation FAR AWAY", is scheduled throughout September 2010, and includes Puerto Rico as well as more than a dozen participating INTERPOL member countries including: Canada, Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico, Costa Rica, Bahamas, Netherland, Antilles, Brazil, Guatemala, Peru, Colombia, Barbados, Bolivia, Ecuador and the United States.

The Alien and Fugitive Division, INTERPOL Washington, is the hub for the operation. One of the Division's primary roles is to analyze and disseminate information related to the coordination of locating, arresting and removing fugitives, as well as providing immigration liaison services to the other 187 INTERPOL member countries.

"No nation should be a safe haven for criminals who are wanted abroad," said Jim Chaparro, Executive Associate Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). "Operation FAR AWAY enhances public safety in the United States and all of our partner nations." ERO is pleased to have the opportunity to participate.

"Initiatives such as "FAR AWAY" provide great opportunities for law enforcement agencies to work together to apprehend fugitives both domestically and internationally," said Timothy A. Williams, INTERPOL Washington Director. "I commend the leadership at ICE ERO for taking the lead with INTERPOL Washington by providing important resources to ensure this operation is a successful one."