The ICE operation that authorities say resulted in the arrest of an MS-13 kingpin spanned both sides of the Missouri River, with one arrest taking place in Omaha, Nebraska, and one taking place in Council Bluffs, Iowa, ICE confirmed Thursday to The World-Herald.聽
In this screenshot from a video provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, federal agents arrest an "MS-13 kingpin" in Council Bluffs on Wednesday, June 9, 2025.
A World-Herald analysis of a video of the arrest suggests that the Council Bluffs arrest took place near 35th Street and Nebraska Avenue.
The agency was not releasing the MS-13 suspect鈥檚 name because the arrest was part of an ongoing investigation.
ICE said the suspect is wanted in El Salvador for aggravated homicide of five victims, attempted aggravated homicide, deprivation of liberty and terrorist organization affiliation.
ICE also arrested 30-year-old Rene Saul Escobar Ochoa, who the agency said is a known associate of the MS-13 kingpin. An ICE spokesperson they were likely living together in Omaha.聽
People are also reading…
Escobar Ochoa is wanted in El Salvador for giving orders to fellow gang members to commit a variety of crimes, including multiple homicides, extortion, imprisonment and drug trafficking.
He is being held at the Hardin County Correctional Center in Iowa, about 80 miles north of Des Moines.聽
The Nebraska State Patrol in a聽聽Thursday morning said its Fusion Center tipped off U.S. Homeland Security that the suspects were in Omaha, which led to the arrests.聽
The Fusion Center connects law enforcement agencies across the country and world.聽
An Omaha Police spokesperson said ICE notified them of the operation, but were not asked to help out.
The Council Bluffs Police Department and Pottawattamie County Sheriff鈥檚 Office said they were not notified by ICE ahead of the arrest of the alleged "MS-13 kingpin" or were involved.
U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts praised the arrest of the two alleged MS-13 gang members on social media Wednesday.聽
President Trump has long blamed MS-13 gang violence on weak immigration policies. (Scripps News)
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has released prison surveillance footage to counter claims of abuse made by Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a suspected MS-13 member deported from the U.S. to El Salvador鈥檚 high-security prison.聽
Photos: ICE raids Omaha meatpacking plant
Federal agents are seen near Glenn Valley Foods on J Street in Omaha on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
Federal agents are seen near Glenn Valley Foods on J Street in Omaha on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
Federal agents are seen near Glenn Valley Foods on J Street in Omaha on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
Federal agents are seen near Glenn Valley Foods on J Street in Omaha on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
Federal agents are seen near Glenn Valley Foods on J Street in Omaha on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
Molli Surdell stands outside JBS after hearing reports of ICE raids. 鈥淚 am here to stand with this community and say they are important members of our nation, important members of our Omaha community and I care about them.鈥
Federal agents are seen near Glenn Valley Foods on J Street in Omaha on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
Federal agents are seen near Glenn Valley Foods on J Street in Omaha on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
Saul Lopez of the League of United Latin American Citizens asks a representative from the Douglas County Sheriffs Office for access into the plant. He is concerned workers have no translators and no non-government representatives.聽
