Operation Salvo Yields 54 Arrests in NYC Following CBP Officer Shooting

Secretary Kristi Noem of Homeland Security has announced significant progress in “Operation Salvo,” a law enforcement initiative launched in New York City after an off-duty Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer was shot in July. This operation, designed to target criminal elements within the immigrant community, has led to the apprehension of 54 individuals, with further arrests anticipated. The individuals taken into custody are reportedly linked to violent transnational gangs, including the Trinitarios, a group implicated not only in the shooting but also in a range of other criminal activities such as weapons trafficking, human smuggling, narcotics distribution, and armed robberies. To date, approximately 60% of those arrested under Operation Salvo have been removed from the country.

The operation was initiated following an incident on July 19th, where two undocumented immigrants, identified as members of the Trinitarios gang, attacked the off-duty CBP officer and his girlfriend. Despite fighting back to protect himself and his girlfriend, the officer sustained gunshot wounds to the face and forearm. Both of the alleged perpetrators in this attack, Miguel Mora Nunez and Cristhian Aybar Berroa, are from the Dominican Republic. Nunez, the alleged shooter, has a prior criminal record that includes charges for assault, contempt, and robbery. He currently faces charges including attempted murder, assault, attempted robbery, robbery, criminal possession of a weapon, and unlawful transport of firearms. Berroa, the alleged driver, has a history of charges such as reckless endangerment, grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, reckless driving, and driving without a license. He faces charges that include robbery, assault, attempted robbery, criminal possession of a weapon, and unlawful transport of firearms.

Operation Salvo, named to reflect both the survival of the injured officer and a subsequent “salvo of justice,” represents a collaborative effort between CBP, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). The New York City Police Department and federal prosecutors from the Southern District of New York, along with the New York County District Attorney’s Office, are also key partners in this operation. In addition to the arrests directly related to the shooting incident, Operation Salvo has led to the apprehension of other individuals. These include Francisco Fabelo, Cristian Javier, Vladimir de Jesus Martinez, Brandol Fernandez Encarnacion, and Jorge Medina-Pacheco, all of whom are described as undocumented immigrants from the Dominican Republic and have alleged criminal histories involving various violent offenses, theft, and drug-related charges.

The broader aim of Operation Salvo, as stated by Secretary Noem, is to initiate a sustained effort against transnational criminal organizations and undocumented individuals involved in criminal activities across the nation. The administration has emphasized its commitment to utilizing all available resources to ensure public safety and bring those who harm citizens or law enforcement officers to justice.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Department of Homeland Security.

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