NEW YORK — Officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) arrested a Salvadoran national on administrative immigration violations Thursday after he was identified by ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York special agents as a MS-13 gang member.

Hector Flamenco, 41, a citizen and national of El Salvador, entered the United States in August 1996. He has a felony conviction of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams, or more, of cocaine in the United States District Court, Eastern District of New York and received a sentence of 121 months imprisonment.

"ERO has always focused on criminal aliens, and the arrest of this MS-13 gang member displays our resolve,” said Thomas R. Decker, field office director for ERO New York. “Working together with HSI, our investigative partners within ICE, we will continue to arrest any MS-13 gang associates who can face removal from the United States.”

“Flamenco, a member of the violent street gang known as MS-13, has been pushing drugs on our streets with no regard to law enforcement or the community in which he lived,” said Angel M. Melendez, special agent in charge of HSI New York. “HSI and ERO have a joint stake and commitment to ridding our neighborhoods of these gang bangers.”

Flamenco was arrested in Central Islip, New York, April 28 and has been entered into removal proceedings.