Aris Manuel Santana/Dominican Republic/Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine

ICE New Orleans arrested Aris Manuel Santana, a citizen and national of the Dominican Republic, on July 11, 2025, following his identification as a removable noncitizen due to a significant federal drug trafficking conviction in the United States. According to ICE records, Santana was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, an offense involving an agreement to engage in the large-scale distribution of a controlled substance. As a result of this conviction, Santana was sentenced to 293 months in federal prison, reflecting the gravity of the offense and its implications for public safety and national security.

Conspiracy to distribute large quantities of cocaine is prosecuted aggressively under federal law due to the potential links to transnational criminal organizations and the widespread harm caused by narcotics trafficking. Offenses involving five kilograms or more of cocaine carry mandatory minimum sentences and severe penalties due to the significant street value of the drugs and the risks associated with drug-related violence, money laundering, and community harm.

No additional charges beyond the conspiracy conviction were listed in publicly available records concerning Santana. ICE has not disclosed further details regarding the specific circumstances, location, or timeline of Santana’s most recent arrest. As of the latest report, Santana remains in ICE custody pending further immigration proceedings to determine his future status in the United States, as drug trafficking convictions of this scale are classified as aggravated felonies under immigration law and typically result in removal from the country.