Daniel Estrada Ayala/Mexico/Importing Cocaine

ICE New Orleans arrested Daniel Estrada Ayala, a citizen of Mexico and an illegal alien residing in the United States, during an enforcement operation targeting individuals with significant drug trafficking convictions. Estrada Ayala, 38, has been living in the U.S. without legal status and came under ICE scrutiny due to his serious involvement in narcotics smuggling that poses substantial risks to public safety and national security.

Estrada Ayala’s criminal history includes a conviction for importing 33.5 kilograms of a substance containing cocaine—a substantial quantity indicative of ties to organized criminal networks. Court documents reveal that he was apprehended attempting to bring the cocaine into the United States from Mexico, an act that triggered federal charges and led to his conviction. The seizure of such a large quantity underscores the seriousness of his offense and the potential for significant distribution within U.S. communities.

Investigators determined that Estrada Ayala played a critical role in the logistics of smuggling operations, coordinating routes, transportation methods, and delivery plans aimed at evading law enforcement detection. His actions directly contributed to the proliferation of dangerous narcotics, fueling both local drug markets and associated violent crime.

At the time of his arrest, Estrada Ayala held no lawful immigration status and had not applied for any relief permitting him to remain in the country. ICE officers apprehended him without incident, verified his identity and criminal record, and placed him into removal proceedings. Estrada Ayala remains in ICE custody, where his drug trafficking conviction will weigh heavily in determining his future in the United States.