Elder Cortez-Yanez/Guatemala/Drug Trafficking

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Elder Cortez-Yanez, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, in Martinsburg, West Virginia, on charges of drug trafficking.

Drug trafficking is among the most severe narcotics offenses under both West Virginia and federal law, involving distribution or possession with intent to distribute above threshold quantities. Mandatory minimum prison sentences apply upon conviction. Criminal illegal aliens charged with trafficking offenses face both lengthy criminal prosecution and mandatory federal removal proceedings.

ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officers apprehended Cortez-Yanez in Martinsburg. He currently remains in federal immigration custody and faces removal proceedings before a Department of Justice immigration judge, with potential deportation back to Guatemala.