Jose Francisco Alcaraz-Arellano/Mexico/Possession of a Controlled Substance, Claimed Cartel Ties

Jose Francisco Alcaraz-Arellano, a 45-year-old citizen of Mexico and illegal alien, was arrested by officers with ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Denver in July 2025. Alcaraz-Arellano has an extensive immigration and criminal background, including three prior removals from the United States and a drug-related conviction.

ICE records confirm that Alcaraz-Arellano was previously deported from the U.S. on three separate occasions. Despite those removals, he reentered the country illegally, which triggered further investigation. During questioning, Alcaraz-Arellano claimed affiliation with the notorious Sinaloa Cartel, one of Mexico’s most violent and powerful transnational criminal organizations.

In addition to his immigration violations, Alcaraz-Arellano has been convicted of possession of a controlled substance, according to local law enforcement records. The specific details of the offense were not released, but ICE confirmed the conviction as a contributing factor in the decision to detain him.

ICE officers arrested Alcaraz-Arellano without incident. He was issued a notice to appear before an immigration judge and remains in ICE custody pending his removal proceedings. Due to his repeated reentries and drug conviction, he will not be eligible for bond.