ICE Arrests Man In Monmouth County Convicted Of Drug Trafficking

LONG BRANCH, NJ — On Friday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a 35-year-old man in Long Branch for failure to appear in his native country of Brazil for a 12-year prison sentence for drug-trafficking crimes.

The man is Dirlei Da Luz Da Silva, 35, a citizen of Brazil. He was wanted by Brazilian authorities for failing to appear and serve his 12-year, 10-month sentence for drug-trafficking related crimes, ICE announced in this press release.

Da Luz was first arrested by American law enforcement on March 6 of last year, by the U.S. Border Patrol near El Paso, Texas.

As per federal immigration policy at the time, Border Patrol served Da Luz with a notice to appear before releasing him, pending removal proceedings.

Brazilian authorities then issued a criminal arrest warrant for Da Luz in January. They said he failed to appear in that country for a 12-year prison sentence.

He was arrested Friday in Long Branch by ICE agents, with assistance from the FBI. There is a large Brazilian community in Long Branch.

"We are committed to arresting aliens who have been involved in criminal activity, whether it be in the U.S. or overseas,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark Field Office Director John Tsoukaris.

Da Luz remains in ICE custody.