EXETER, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — On Monday, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced four people were arrested after executing a worksite enforcement operation in Exeter.
In a release, ICE explained Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Philadelphia and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Scranton on Thursday, June 5 partnered with FBI Scranton, IRS-Criminal Investigations Scranton, the US Marshals Service Scranton and other law enforcement groups to perform a worksite enforcement operation in Exeter at Wyoming Valley Pallets Incorporated.
Courtesy of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Officials say the operation resulted in the arrests of three illegal immigrants from Mexico:
Miguel Bruno-Vasquez
Vicente Coyotecal Matias
Jesus Gallardo-Bautista
In addition to the arrests, Officials say Geoli Perez-Santana, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was also arrested.
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ICE adds that all four arrested Thursday were illegally working in the United States.
Today's operation highlights the significant detriments of employing illegal workers, which undermines the integrity of our immigration system and puts lawful businesses at a disadvantage. We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to identify and apprehend those who violate immigration laws and to protect the interests of both legal workers and employers who follow the law.
Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia Edward V. Owens.
Authorities explained that the investigation began on March 14 when HSI Scranton was alerted by ERO of an employment hit confirmation on Gallardo, who at the time had an outstanding arrest warrant for driving under the influence.
ICE explains that Gallardo last entered the United States in June 2007 and was allowed to remain until December of that year.
However, officials say Gallardo stayed in the United States beyond that time without approval and was ordered to be removed in May 2013.
Courtesy of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Authorities add that Gallardo was arrested previously by the Scranton Police Department in April 2021 for DUI and driving without a license. That case is still pending.
Meanwhile, Coyotecal was previously arrested at the United States border in March 1999 and June of that year and was given voluntary returns, according to ICE.
Additionally, officials say Perez-Santana was previously arrested by the United States Border Patrol in October 2022, near Calexico, California, after allegedly illegally crossing the border from Mexico. Perez-Santana was released on his own recognizance and was served a notice to appear, authorities explained.
ICE says they had no previous encounters with Bruno-Vasquez.
Authorities say the four people who were arrested were taken to the Pike County Jail for processing.
28/22 News spoke with the owner of the pallet business. He declined to do an interview but says he was not at the business on Thursday when the arrest happened.
He says he's in support of the arrest and wasn't aware the four men working for him were here illegally.
The owner also tells 28/22 News the ice officers did not inform him in great detail about the arrest being made or what would happen next.
