
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials successfully removed Ismael Laredo Don Juan, a Mexican national with a final order of removal, from the United States to Mexico. Laredo, a key figure in the Laredo drug trafficking organization, had been sought by Mexican authorities for his involvement in drug trafficking, organized crime, and money laundering.

Laredo, who is believed to be a leader in smuggling heroin from Mexico into the U.S., was first encountered by U.S. authorities in 2002 when he illegally entered the United States. He was apprehended near Hidalgo, Texas and voluntarily returned to Mexico. However, his criminal activities caught up with him when the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania indicted him on drug distribution charges in 2015.
Following his conviction in Mexico in 2016 for drug trafficking, organized crime, and money laundering, Laredo was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was extradited to the U.S. in January 2020 and convicted in 2021 for distributing heroin, conspiracy, and related charges. Despite serving time in a U.S. correctional facility, Laredo faced ongoing legal issues related to his immigration status.
In 2022, Mexico issued an arrest warrant for Laredo to finish serving his sentence. After an immigration judge ordered his removal to Mexico on December 30, 2024, Laredo remained in ICE custody until his deportation earlier this month.
“Today’s successful removal operation underscores our steadfast commitment to public safety and the security of our nation,” said Brian McShane, acting Field Office Director of ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Philadelphia. “This case highlights our resolve in ensuring that those who pose a threat to our communities are held accountable and removed from the U.S.”
Laredo’s removal marks a significant step in ICE’s ongoing efforts to combat organized crime and drug trafficking while ensuring the safety and security of American communities.