ICE Lodges Arrest Detainer for Mexican Criminal Illegal Alien Charged with Laundering Millions of Dollars in Narcotics Trafficking

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today released the following statement regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodging a detainer for the arrest of Jose Alonso Paramo-Arguello, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, charged with laundering millions of dollars from drug trafficking.

On March 18, 2026, the Justice Department announced money laundering charges against Paramo-Arguello. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office of Oregon, from January 2, 2024, through December 3, 2025, Arguello's three money service businesses transferred more than $13 million in wire transfers of $500 or more to Mexico, an amount often indicative of narcotics trafficking. Of that, over $7 million was sent to locations in Mexico associated with narcotics trafficking.

The Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation provided an informant with cash to attempt to wire money to Mexico. The informant told Arguello he was a drug dealer to which Arguello responded, "You sell whatever you want, you're a merchant, period." From November 2025 through January 2026, Arguello laundered over $45,000 in what the informant represented as drug trafficking proceeds through 22 wire transfers. While doing so, Arguello received a 10% commission to launder the funds. Arguello referred to this commission as a bribe.

Paramo-Arguello illegally snuck into the United States and was deported in May 2003. He chose to illegally re-enter the country through the border at an unknown date and time-a felony-and has no status to be here in the United States.

"On March 18, 2026, Jose Alonso Paramo-Arguello, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, was charged with laundering millions in narcotics trafficking proceeds to Mexico. He was issued a voluntary return in 2003 and chose to commit a felony by illegally reentering the United States," said a DHS Spokesperson. "ICE has lodged a detainer with the U.S. Marshals Service so this criminal illegal alien will never be released into the United States. Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, we will not allow drug traffickers to profit off killing our children and grandchildren."

The Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), which is comprised of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, and other government law enforcement agencies, made the arrest of Paramo-Arguello. ICE lodged a detainer with the U.S. Marshals to ensure this criminal illegal alien is removed from the U.S. and not released back onto American streets.

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