Federal agents have arrested approximately 370 illegal aliens with criminal records in the New Orleans area since launching Operation Catahoula Crunch on December 3.

The Department of Homeland Security announced the arrests on Thursday, detailing charges ranging from drug trafficking to domestic violence.

The operation targets what DHS calls “the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens” in a sanctuary city that has limited cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The arrests come as the Trump administration promises stricter immigration policies.

“While sanctuary city politicians have refused to do their job, DHS is making the New Orleans community safer as it continues to arrest illegal alien drug dealers, hit-and-run criminals, and one monster who was convicted for arson and threatening a person with intent to terrorize,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “I hope that sanctuary politicians will say thank you to the men and women who are putting their lives on the line to get these criminals off the streets.”

McLaughlin added that “Secretary Noem has been VERY CLEAR: DHS does not pick and choose which laws we enforce and which we don’t; under President Trump we are restoring law and order.” She vowed DHS would “find, arrest, and deport ALL criminal illegal aliens.”

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Among those arrested was Juan Carlos Medina-Hernandez, a Honduran convicted of marijuana distribution, possessing Schedule II drugs, and obstruction of justice. Victor Garcia-Ramirez, previously deported twice to Mexico, had three convictions for illegal re-entry plus arrests for assault and drunk driving.

Angel Rocha-Marquez, another twice-deported illegal alien, was identified as a driver in a 2022 smuggling operation. He had convictions for illegal weapon use and arrests for domestic battery and drunk driving.

The most serious case involved Marlon Adolfo Jiron-Castro, a previously deported Honduran. He was convicted of threatening with intent to terrorize, arson, burglary, drug possession, and illegal entry.

Several arrestees had multiple drunk driving offenses. Others faced charges for hit-and-run incidents, including Filadelfo Sis-Rodriguez from Guatemala and Sergio Yobany Lopez-Mejia, also Guatemalan.

The operation also netted Alex Canu-Gonzalez, a previously deported Guatemalan with an active warrant in Arlington, Virginia. Jorge Misael Galiego-Jeronimo, another Guatemalan, had been arrested in his home country for drug trafficking and environmental crimes.

Lydia Corrales Hernandez from Mexico was previously arrested for spousal abuse. Dennis Jared Rios-Morales from Honduras faced marijuana distribution charges.

Edras Natanael Berrios-Torres, an El Salvadoran with a February 2025 removal order, had arrests for drunk driving, drug paraphernalia, and driving without a license.

Raul Cabrera-Perdomo, an illegal alien previously deported from the United States and wanted on an immigration warrant, has a conviction for unlawful re-entry and had earlier arrests for reckless vehicle operation and unlicensed driving.
Victor Garcia-Ramirez, an illegal alien from Mexico, deported from the United States on two prior occasions, has three convictions for unlawful re-entry and earlier arrests for assault and driving under the influence.

The operation continues as federal authorities push to increase deportations. DHS has not specified when Operation Catahoula Crunch will conclude.