Convicted Brazilian Drug Trafficker Taken Into Custody In Somerville

SOMERVILLE, MA — A Brazilian citizen convicted of drug trafficking in that country has been arrested in Somerville by fugitive operations officers with U.S. Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Diogo De-Sales Gomes, 34, was taken into custody without incident on Feb. 3, near where he was living in Somerville, authorities said.

ICE officials said Gomes was living unlawfully in the U.S., and ERO Boston was alerted to his presence by Brazilian authorities.

De-Sales Gomes remains in U.S. ICE custody pending a hearing with the U.S. Justice Department's Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), authorities said. ERO Boston officials said they will seek to have De-Sales Gomes removed from the country pending the outcome of the EOIR proceedings.

According to authorities, De-Sales Gomes was the subject of an active criminal warrant in Brazil after being convicted of drug trafficking in the Judicial Court of Cartagina, Mina Gerais in February 2022.

"The trafficking of illicit substances is a global epidemic that has affected many of our communities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts," said ERO Boston Field Office Director Todd Lyons. "The arrest of Mr. De-Sales Gomes removes a convicted narcotics trafficker from the public before he could potentially inflict further harm on our residents."

Lyons continued: "Our officers continue to proudly fight against the illegal narcotics epidemic to ensure the safety of those we serve."

ICE officials said De-Sales Gomes also had a previous brush with U.S. authorities. In December 2021, U.S. Border Patrol apprehended De-Sales Gomes near San Luis, Arizona, after he unlawfully entered the U.S. without inspection, according to reports.

Authorities said De-Sales Gomes was issued a Notice to Appear and released on his own recognizance pending removal proceedings. However, authorities said De-Sales Gomes failed to appear for the subsequent hearing.