What Colorado Residents Should Know About MS-13

Over the past week, residents in Western Colorado were surprised to learn that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed a man arrested in Grand Junction earlier this month has ties to the international gang MS 13.

With more than 150 ICE arrests locally in 2025, the Grand Junction case draws attention for both the alleged MS-13 connection and what it means for community safety in the Grand Valley.

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Breaking Down the Arrest — What Authorities Say

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KKCO reports the arrest of Membreno-Portillo in Grand Junction was confirmed by the Denver ICE field office earlier this week, and he was identified as a known member of the gang MS-13. The Denver ICE office confirms Membreno-Portillo is wanted in El Salvador on aggravated terrorist charges. Thankfully, the feds plan on keeping him in ICE custody while removal proceedings continue. This process is separate from any local Grand Junction charges.

Who Is MS-13 — Quick Gang Explainer

MS-13 is short for Mara Salvatrucha. The gang’s activity began to concentrate in Los Angeles in the 1980s, made up of Salvadoran immigrants. They have become a gang known for violence, extortion, drug trafficking, and other crimes. U.S. Federal Law Enforcement says MS-13 is a significant criminal organization that operates in several states.

What the Alleged Gang Link Means in Colorado

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An MS-13 connection as part of an ICE arrest captures lots of attention in places like Grand Junction, where people talk about federal enforcement actions as part of community safety. While MS-13 is not known to have a widespread presence on the Western Slope, it shows how hard our federal agents are working to remove alleged gang members and criminals across the country, no matter where they are hiding.

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Source: Colorado ICE Arrest Linked to MS-13: What We Know