Multiple agencies arrest 11 Philippine, Indonesian, and Nicaraguan nationals in Massachusetts concerning child s*xual abuse material, child s*xual exploitation material

BOSTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Port of Boston, in coordination with Homeland Security Investigations Boston, HSI Fort Lauderdale, and the CBP Fort Lauderdale Human Trafficking Unit, successfully arrested 11 aliens as part of “Operation Tidal Wave” for their part in the reception and disbursement of child sexual abuse material and child sexual exploitation material.

During the operation, CBP officers and HSI agents boarded the cruise ships Volendam and Norwegian Breakaway encountering the 11 individuals—nine citizens of the Philippines, one citizen of Indonesia, and one citizen of Nicaragua,

“Protecting children from exploitation is among our highest priorities, and this operation demonstrates the critical role CBP officers play in identifying and stopping individuals who pose a threat to public safety,” said Acting Director of Field Operations for CBP’s Boston Field Office Julio Caravia. “Through strong coordination with HSI, NCMEC, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and our law enforcement partners, we will continue to use every available authority to disrupt the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material and prevent those involved from entering or remaining in the United States.” 

Following a comprehensive search of the subjects’ living quarters and electronic devices, and consultation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, all 11 individuals were processed for removal under Section 212(a)(2)(A)(i)(I) of the Immigration and Nationality Act for crimes involving moral turpitude. The individuals were processed with the assistance of the shipping agent and are scheduled to depart the United States.

This enforcement action was part of “Operation Tidal Wave,” a multiagency initiative led by the CBP Office of Field Operations Enforcement Operations Division, in coordination with HSI agents assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and NCMEC. The operation aims to identify and initiate enforcement actions against cruise ship crewmembers who are associated with the possession, use, procurement, production, or distribution of CSEM and CSAM.