ICE Nabs ‘High-Ranking’ MS-13 Gangbanger In Town Roughly 6 Miles Away From Nation’s Capital

Federal law enforcement officials announced the arrest of a “high-ranking” MS-13 gang leader who wielded international influence just minutes away from Washington, D.C.

🛂Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents Thursday arrested David Alejandro Orellana-Aleman, a 27-year-old Salvadoran national living unlawfully in the United States, according to a press release by the agency. Orellana-Aleman is accused of being a high-ranking member of the MS-13 crime syndicate who controlled operations of the gang’s cliques throughout the U.S., Mexico and Europe.

The apprehension, which was done in coordination with the FBI, took place in Hyattsville, Maryland, a suburb roughly six miles away from Washington, D.C., according to ICE. Federal law enforcement is hailing the arrest as a major victory for the administration’s war against organized crime.

“The apprehension of David Alejandro Orellana-Aleman strikes a significant blow to the leadership and organization of the MS-13 terrorist organization,” ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations acting Field office director Matthew Elliston stated. “This arrest speaks volumes about the cooperation enjoyed between ICE and the FBI.”

“We will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing illegal alien offenders from our communities,” Elliston continued.

Salvadoran authorities arrested Orellana-Aleman in December 2016 on charges of terrorist affiliation as a documented MS-13 member, extortion and possession of a firearm, according to ICE. At some point after his arrest, the gang leader left El Salvador and illegally entered the U.S. on an unknown date and location without inspection by an Immigration