US government offers up to $5 million reward for information
regarding shootings of 2 ICE agents
WASHINGTON - The Departments
of State, Justice and Homeland Security today jointly announced a reward of up
to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of
individuals allegedly responsible for the murder of U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent Jaime
Zapata and the attempted murder of ICE HSI Special Agent Victor Avila.
The FBI, in conjunction with
ICE, has established a 24-hour tip line based in the United States to process
the information. Individuals in the United States with information are
encouraged to call 1-866-859-9778. Individuals in Mexico can provide information
by calling +001 800-225-5324. Spanish language speakers will be available using
either number. Anyone wishing to email information can do so by visiting: https://tips.fbi.gov. All information is
considered confidential.
Also today the Government of
Mexico announced a reward of up to 10 million pesos for information leading to
the arrest of individuals allegedly responsible for the murder and attempted
murder. Individuals can call (55) 53-46-15-44 and (55) 53-46-00-00, extension
4748 in Mexico City. Outside of Mexico City, individuals can call
01-800-831-31-96 to provide information. Information may also be sent to the
following email address: denunciapgr@gob.mx. More information
about the Government of Mexico’s award can be found at www.recompensas.gob.mx.
Zapata and Avila were
ambushed in Mexico on Feb. 15, 2011, as they were traveling in their U.S.
government-issued vehicle from the state of San Luis Potosi to Mexico City.
Mexican authorities have detained several individuals in connection with this
incident and the investigation continues at this time.
The U.S. reward is being
offered by the U.S. government through the U.S. Department of State’s Narcotics
Rewards Program, which was established by Congress in 1986. Additional
information on this program can be found at: www.state.gov/p/inl/narc/rewards/index.htm.
