NEW YORK, NY — A Salvadoran fugitive accused of homicide and drug trafficking is now in federal custody after a targeted early-morning arrest in Middletown, New York. Alejandro Perla Cruz, 37, was taken into custody April 13 during a joint operation involving ICE and the FBI, marking a coordinated effort to locate a suspect wanted abroad for violent crimes.
Authorities say Perla Cruz is an alleged member of the MS-13 gang and had been sought in El Salvador on charges of homicide and narcotics trafficking. His arrest follows intelligence developed just days earlier that placed him in the Hudson Valley region.
Targeted Operation Led to Arrest
According to ICE New York City, officers assigned to the Newburgh sub-office worked with the FBI’s Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force after receiving updated intelligence on April 7. Investigators confirmed the suspect’s identity and immigration status before planning the operation.
At approximately 6 a.m. on April 13, agents conducted a vehicle stop in Middletown, where they identified Perla Cruz and arrested him without incident. Officials said the operation was designed to minimize risk to the public while ensuring the suspect could not evade capture.
Perla Cruz had allegedly entered the United States without inspection at an unknown time and location, according to federal authorities.
Charges in El Salvador Drive Case
The arrest centers on charges filed in El Salvador, where Perla Cruz is wanted for homicide and involvement in narcotics trafficking. U.S. officials say international cooperation played a key role in identifying and locating him.
Law enforcement agencies often rely on shared intelligence in cases involving transnational gangs like MS-13, which operate across borders and are frequently linked to violent crime and drug distribution networks.
—
Key Points
• Alejandro Perla Cruz arrested April 13 in Middletown, New York
• Salvadoran national wanted for homicide and drug trafficking
• Joint ICE and FBI operation carried out without incident
—
Federal Agencies Emphasize Coordination
Officials highlighted the joint nature of the operation, which brought together immigration enforcement officers and federal investigators focused on gang-related crime.
ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations New York City Field Office Director Kenneth Genalo said the agency remains focused on removing individuals accused of serious crimes, while FBI officials noted the role of task force intelligence in tracking fugitives across jurisdictions.
Current Status
Perla Cruz remains in ICE custody pending removal proceedings. Federal authorities have not released details on a potential timeline for deportation, but the case is expected to move forward through the immigration court system as officials coordinate with El Salvador.