U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Phoenix has announced the arrest of a 59-year-old Mexican national, Fernando Aguayo-Morales, who was convicted of homicide and methamphetamine distribution. This arrest is part of ICE’s “Worst of the Worst” enforcement initiative.
According to ICE, Aguayo-Morales had previously been convicted of homicide and sentenced to between 20 and 40 years in prison. He was also found guilty of methamphetamine distribution. Following his release from state custody, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) agents detained him for immigration violations under the agency’s “Worst of the Worst” program. This initiative aims to remove foreign nationals convicted of major violent and narcotics-related crimes who pose ongoing threats to community safety.
The ERO reported over 4,000 arrests of noncitizens convicted of homicide, manslaughter, or major narcotics trafficking in fiscal year 2024. Approximately 60% of these cases involved offenders with prior violent or weapons-related charges, highlighting the agency’s focus on recidivist criminals within the “Worst of the Worst” campaign.
The U.S. Sentencing Commission’s 2023 report indicates that methamphetamine trafficking accounted for nearly half of all federal drug sentences nationwide. In Arizona alone, meth-related prosecutions increased by 8% from the previous year. Homicide rates linked to cartel violence have led to close cooperation between ICE, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and local law enforcement agencies.
ICE was founded in 2003 and operates under the Department of Homeland Security. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., it enforces immigration laws, dismantles transnational criminal organizations, and removes individuals posing threats to public safety or national security. The Phoenix Field Office oversees enforcement operations across Arizona, collaborating with federal and state partners through programs such as “Operation Cross Check” and “Worst of the Worst” to identify and remove violent offenders.
