Franco Arcentales/Ecuador/Conspiracy with Intent to Distribute Cocaine

ICE New Orleans arrested Franco Arcentales, a citizen and national of Ecuador, on July 11, 2025, following his identification as a removable noncitizen due to a serious federal drug trafficking conviction in the United States. According to ICE records, Arcentales was convicted of conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, a felony offense involving the coordination and planning of large-scale narcotics trafficking. As a result of this conviction, he was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison.

Cocaine trafficking is classified as an aggravated felony under U.S. immigration law and carries significant criminal penalties due to the volume of drugs involved and the potential links to transnational criminal organizations. Offenses of this nature pose substantial risks to public safety and are often prioritized for immigration enforcement. Conspiracy charges typically involve multiple individuals working in concert to carry out a criminal act, and convictions reflect a demonstrated role in organizing or facilitating drug distribution operations.

No other criminal convictions were listed in ICE’s public records related to Arcentales. ICE has not released additional details regarding the specific location or timeline of his arrest, or whether he has any history of immigration violations beyond his conviction. Following the completion of his criminal sentence, Arcentales was taken into ICE custody. As of the latest report, he remains detained pending further immigration proceedings to determine his future status in the United States.