A high-profile figure on El Salvador’s most-wanted list has been apprehended in the United States, federal officials have confirmed. Antonio Israel Lazo-Quintanilla was detained in Maryland earlier this month after being stopped for allegedly driving without a license, according to a release from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Though this marks his first known encounter with law enforcement in the U.S., authorities quickly discovered that Lazo-Quintanilla is wanted in El Salvador on serious charges, including aggravated homicide, extortion, and drug possession. His arrest highlights the intersection of domestic law enforcement efforts and international crime networks.

ICE officials made the arrest in Maryland in November 2025, shedding light on Lazo-Quintanilla’s alleged criminal activities in his home country. This case underscores the challenges posed by transnational crime and the ongoing efforts to address them.

“A significant portion of ICE’s arrests involves criminal illegal aliens who have been charged or convicted of crimes in the United States,” stated DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “This individual, a gang member on El Salvador’s most-wanted list, exemplifies ICE’s focus on apprehending the most dangerous offenders.”

While Lazo-Quintanilla may not have a violent record in the United States, McLaughlin emphasized that his history of serious charges abroad makes him a significant threat to public safety.

“He may lack a violent rap sheet in the U.S., but this criminal illegal alien is clearly a public safety threat.

Antonio Israel Lazo-Quintanilla is “a confirmed member of the 18th Street Gang” in El Salvador, which has been designated a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration, according to DHS. (iStock)

“The media’s false claims that ICE is not arresting the worst of the worst simply has no grounding,” McLaughlin added. “In reality, ICE is arresting criminal illegal aliens before they can victimize Americans.”

Lazo-Quintanilla, whose mugshot shows a large “666” tattoo across his forehead, is also “a confirmed member of the 18th Street Gang” in El Salvador, which has been designated a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) by the Trump administration, according to DHS. 

Federal officials arrested illegal alien Antonio Israel Lazo-Quintanilla during a traffic stop in Maryland, and authorities later learned he is a member of El Salvador’s list of most-wanted gang members, according to DHS.  (Herika Martinez/AFP via Getty Images)

Details about when Lazo-Quintanilla entered the country were not immediately available.

The 18th Street Gang is “one of the largest gangs in our hemisphere and has conducted attacks against security personnel, public officials, and civilians in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras,” according to a statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio. 

DHS did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.