Portuguese national wanted on drug trafficking charges arrested on South Coast

BOSTON — Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston removed a Portuguese national last week wanted in his native country on drug trafficking charges.

According to ERO Boston, 39-year-old Iven Henrique Pimentel Travassos, a citizen of Portugal, entered the United States in 2008 as a noncitizen and violated terms of admission. He was transported back to Portugal on June 16th.

ERO Boston’s Fugitive Operations Team officers apprehended Pimentel in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, without incident May 11. Portuguese law enforcement authorities want him for drug trafficking charges in the country’s Azores region. He was held until ERO Boston removed him to Portugal June 16.

“I’m proud of the great teamwork that allowed ERO Boston officers to locate, apprehend and remove this convicted drug trafficker from our streets,” said ERO Boston Field Office Director Todd Lyons. “Many families in our communities have been devastated by the impact of the drug epidemic in our region. That’s why this removal of Pimentel, who was convicted and sentenced for drug trafficking in his home country of Portugal, is a great success for our team of dedicated professionals at ERO Boston in our work to protect our community.”

In fiscal year 2022, ERO arrested 46,396 noncitizens with criminal histories in the United States.