Odalys Abreu, a 52-year-old Cuban national notorious for her extensive criminal background, was apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Tampa, Florida, on Wednesday. She had illegally reentered the United States despite having a final deportation order issued back in 1995.
According to the official report, Abreu is facing charges related to the Laken Riley Law violation, drug trafficking, grand theft, and illegal reentry, all of which exacerbate her legal and immigration troubles. Nearly thirty years after her initial deportation, she found her way back into the country unlawfully, engaging once more in serious criminal activities.
ICE has confirmed that her arrest is part of a broader initiative targeting foreign nationals with criminal records, with a focus on those posing a public safety threat. "Individuals who repeatedly violate our immigration and criminal laws must face the consequences," an agency spokesperson asserted.
Abreu's detention underscores a zero-tolerance stance towards migrants with criminal histories residing in the United States. Her case is set to be heard in a federal court, where she may face a substantial sentence before being deported again.
This incident adds to a string of recent arrests of Cubans with criminal backgrounds across various U.S. cities, many of whom are listed on ICE's "Worst of the Worst" list.
Abreu's case is also connected to a fraudulent scheme that surfaced a few years ago, involving the illegal distribution of thousands of oxycodone pills. At that time, Odalys Abreu, then 45, along with David Bosch and Tania Sánchez, were involved in distributing at least 7,500 tablets through fake prescriptions.
Abreu reportedly recruited at least 18 individuals who paid around $250 each for supposed "medical consultations" to obtain controlled substances, particularly oxycodone, which were not medically necessary.
FAQs on Odalys Abreu's Case and ICE Operations
What charges is Odalys Abreu facing in the United States?
Odalys Abreu is facing charges for violating the Laken Riley Law, drug trafficking, grand theft, and illegal reentry to the United States.
Why was Odalys Abreu's arrest significant in ICE operations?
Her arrest is part of ICE's operations focusing on individuals with criminal backgrounds who pose a public safety risk, reinforcing a zero-tolerance policy towards repeat offenders.
How did Odalys Abreu participate in the oxycodone distribution scheme?
Abreu was involved in recruiting individuals who paid for fake "medical consultations" to receive prescriptions for controlled substances, such as oxycodone, which were not needed.