ICE HSI Newark and FBI Newark Contribute to Nationwide Homeland Security Task Force Which Has Led to a Historic 3,266 Arrests of Violent Criminals in 43 Days

HSI Newark, FBI Newark and Federal Partners Form New Jersey’s HSTF to Answer the President’s Call to Make America Safe Again NEWARK, NJ— ICE Homeland Security Investigations Newark and FBI Newark recently formed a Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) to protect the people of New Jersey and strengthen the nation’s defenses against transnational crime. The Nationwide Homeland Security Task Force announced October 23 that task forces arrested more than 3,200 foreign terrorists, Narcotraffickers and violent criminals, and seized more than 91 metric tons of narcotics across the United States between August 25 and Octobter 7. President Donald J. Trump Signed Executive Order No. 14159, “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” which ordered the creation of an HSTF. “As the threats confronting our nation grow in scale and complexity, our response must be unified, precise and unwavering,” said HSI Newark Special Agent in Charge Michael S. McCarthy. “The Homeland Security Task Force delivers that capability. by integrating federal, state, and local assets into a single operational framework. We are reinforcing New Jersey’s defenses, accelerating intelligence-driven investigations, and ensuring that criminal networks have nowhere to hide. the HSTF is more than a collaborative effort, it is a cohesive force dedicated to safeguarding the homeland, protecting our communities, and upholding the rule of law across the United States.” “As threats to our nation evolve over time, law enforcement must adapt to address those threats to effectively dismantle transnational criminal organizations. The FBI and HSI are jointly leading the HSTF, ensuring real-time intelligence sharing and the integration of resources. The HSTF represents the power of partnership, combining the subject matter expertise from federal, state, and local agencies across the state of New Jersey to keep the public safe,” said FBI Newark Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy. HSI has a long and successful history in New Jersey working with federal partners under the task force model. For example, HSI and FBI Newark work together on six NJ Safe Streets Task Forces (SSTF) that are focused on gang violence and localized street-level drug trafficking as well as two Transnational Organized Crime Task Forces (TOCTF) focused on sophisticated criminal enterprises involved in cartel connected drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and money laundering. More than 200 local police officers support these task forces to ensure our visibility on the threats facing our communities. Additionally, HSI Newark’s Airport Task Force investigates narcotics and contraband smuggling in Newark area airports and all international inbound and outbound narcotics parcel threats transiting the Newark area. Meanwhile, HSI Newark’s Violent Gangs Task Force leads the fight against Transnational Criminal Organizations, including those designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. In Southern New Jersey, the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Unit investigates narcotics distribution and violent crimes near Camden. Through a unified framework, the HSTF in New Jersey will serve as a model for protecting the homeland from evolving threats, safeguarding critical infrastructure and enhancing national resilience. HSTF’s successes in New Jersey thus far are a testament to what can happen when the federal government puts the American people first.