LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Richard Pauza,

 LAREDO, TEXAS – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Laredo Port of Entry early this morning coordinated with Mexican officials and took custody of a New Jersey man wanted for murder, attempted murder and four other charges.  The apprehension occurred on Nov. 23, 2010 at Lincoln-Juarez Bridge . CBP officers met Mexican immigration officials at mid-bridge and took custody of Arthur P. Silva, a 20-year-old man and resident of Cliffside Park , N.J. that allegedly had attempted to enter Mexico as a Mexican citizen but was later determined to be Brazilian by birth.   CBP officers in secondary inspection consulted CBP databases and verified his status as a U.S. citizen originally born in Brazil with derivative U.S. citizenship.

Further records checks by CBP officers also indicated that Silva had an outstanding warrant from the Jersey City Sheriff’s Office for homicide in connection with the Oct. 7 shooting death of Spencer Hernandez. Silva also was found to have outstanding warrants for the following charges: two counts of criminal attempted murder, one count of unlawful possession of a weapon and three counts of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.  

CBP officers turned Silva, further identified as a member of the Latin Kings, over to the custody of Webb County sheriff’s deputies for transport to a local jail pending extradition proceedings to New Jersey .           

“Our continued cooperation with our law enforcement partners in Mexico led to the interception of an alleged gang member that was wanted on outstanding warrants for murder, attempted murder and various weapons charges,” said Gene Garza, CBP Port Director, Laredo . “This close coordination with Mexican authorities and use of CBP databases was critical in the identification and apprehension of this individual.”