Skip to main content

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • Archived Content
    In an effort to keep CBP.gov current, the archive contains content from a previous administration or is otherwise outdated.
  1. Home
  2. Newsroom
  3. Local Media Release
  4. MS-13 Gang Member Arrested By Buffalo Border Patrol

MS-13 Gang Member Arrested By Buffalo Border Patrol

Release Date
Wed, 10/05/2016

LANCASTER, N.Y.  – U.S. Border Patrol Agents assigned to the Buffalo Border Patrol Station recently arrested a previously deported alien with ties to the international criminal gang, Mara Salvatrucha, also known as MS-13.              

MS-13 Gang Member
Border Patrol Agents Arrested MS-13
Gang Member

Agents provided law enforcement assistance to the Lancaster Police Department on September 30, 2016. Savier Ayala, age 30, was encountered and determined to be illegally present in the U.S. The subject was placed under arrest and transported to the Buffalo Border Patrol Station for processing. 

Record checks revealed that Ayala was previously removed from the U.S. in 2010. Ayala also had a DWI conviction in 2010 in Wake County, N.C. The subject had several tattoos consistent with MS-13 gang affiliation, telling agents that he joined the MS-13 gang while living in North Carolina. Ayala also stated he illegally re-entered the U.S.in 2014 near Douglas, Ariz. Ayala is being held without bond pending his removal from the U.S.

Buffalo Station Patrol-Agent-In-Charge Jeff Wilson said, “the arrest of this individual highlights the cooperation between law enforcement agencies in bringing dangerous criminals to justice. I commend our agents and the Lancaster Police Department for their commitment to securing our nation.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021