CANTON — A routine traffic stop by a Massachusetts State Police trooper on the night of Feb. 18 led to the capture of a fugitive MS-13 gang member wanted for murder in El Salvador.
Wilmer A. Garcia-Manzanares, 44, was pulled over on Interstate 95 for driving a minivan with a license plate light out.
Upon questioning, he revealed he did not have a Massachusetts driver’s license and was in the U.S. illegally.
MSP Trooper Ralph Dasilva of the Troop H Community Action Team made the stop at about 8:45 p.m. on the ramp from I-93 south to I-95 south.
Garcia-Manzanares provided a Salvadoran driver’s license and passport to Trooper Dasilva.
After running his information through the National Crime Information Center database, it was discovered that Garcia-Manzanares was wanted for homicide and extortion in El Salvador and was associated with the violent international criminal gang MS-13.
The NCIC check also revealed that Garcia-Manzanares was considered armed and dangerous, had a criminal history in New York, and had been previously deported from the United States.
An INTERPOL Red Notice had been issued for his arrest on behalf of El Salvadoran authorities.
Following the discovery, additional troopers arrived on the scene, and Garcia-Manzanares was taken into custody without incident for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
He was transported to the State Police-Foxboro Barracks for booking.
The Troop H duty lieutenant informed both United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and INTERPOL of the arrest in line with MSP policy.
An ICE Deportation Officer responded to the barracks, and following his booking, Garcia-Manzanares was handed over to federal custody for further enforcement of federal offenses.
Garcia-Manzanares has illegally entered the U.S. at least four times in recent years, with illegal border crossings into New York state and Texas.
Following each apprehension and removal, he returned to the U.S.
